Youthful looking wine, black ruby colour! Tight on the nose, faint aroma of sweet vanilla, leathery dark fruits, a little hint of oak! The palate is tight, rich, smooth and yet, full of powdery tannins! Not fully ready yet in my book!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought the score down by a point. The bottle started more closed and tight than earlier experience, tannins were there but the fruit took more time to emerge. They did come through with some patience and delivered a nicely structured profile with notes of anise, blackberry, vanilla and leather.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful nose of blue fruit with a touch of mint freshness. Classic Pauillac pallet with nice dark plums and smooth tannins. So weightless and intense. Old Bordeaux is so enjoyable. I think this still has more to reveal.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted annually for the last 5 years, this is now firmly in its drinking window. However, it does need at least 3 hours in the decanter to come alive. Once it does, it is a delightful wine, and a bit of a surprise in a very average vintage. The nose is still a little reticent, but is aromatic with blackcurrant and tobacco, wirh floral wafts. The palate is well integrated and deep and well balanced, albeit with some residual tannin still to resolve. Similarly the finish is excellent, but further development will smooth out some of the rougher edges. 93+
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a 375. No decanter, but sat in the glass about 1 hour.
Moderate garnet - fairly light colored for a Bordeaux. Touch of light brown on the rim, but no bricking.
Nose a mix of red fruit, cedar, pipe tobacco and campfire. Not super powerful, but well integrated.
Palate has a nice mix of red cherry, cassis, cedar, and leather. Flavors nicely integrated, both fruitiness and cigar box-ish elements. Still pretty tannic.
This is a very pleasant PL, and while not one of the best vintages I’ve ever had is drinking quite nicely. Strong tannins and the fact that this wine is just getting some secondary flavors makes me think this will have a long runway ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needed a couple hours in the decanter to wake up. Rather dense ans concentrated and still youthful. Polished rather plush mouthfeel with typical Lanade herbal edge. Tannins are well managed and mild at this point. Has a hint of coffee on the nose. In its early drinking window and still has some upside. Drink/hold
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
slightly overheated, cooked fruit. nose is a bit easier to get into. mostly dark fruits of cassis, blueberries, dark plums, sweet wood, a bit tertiary aromas, tobacco, earthy notes. It‘s a bit overextracted and aciditiy is medium. Good to trink combinded with food but not my style at all.
Strange that this was so cooked as I had a poyferre 02 and gruaud larose 02 some time ago which were both much more feminine and less extracted. 91 at most
decant or let it sleep for anther 5y +
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
- Tasted blind, informal notes two day after. Has a dark fruit character, cassis, dark plums, liquorice, tobacco and earth. Very expressive and extracted, with too much fruit and not enough balancing acidity. Can at its best gain in complexity with more maturity, but since the acidity is missing, the great drinking pleasure will probably be missing.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Definitely takes some time to open up. With a bit of coaxing, the nose and palate comes to life with red fruit, graphite and cedar. Held up will for 48 hours; tannins much softer on day 2. Early drinking window with a nice blend of primary and tertiary qualities.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cork fantastic for 21 years. Tank of a cork. Wine has no bouquet upon opening, and same with fruit, but lots of structure lurking. Deep purple color, and almost a sublime menthol taste. Fruit slowly emerging. Had no high hopes for this due to age but its holding on admirably. Impressed that fruit, now coming on decently, has hung on. This may have been the best showing for me, having had this at least five years ago. This was the best showing of Lalande to date. It feels and drinks like a textbook example of a wine that has sufficiently aged properly. Lots of sediment etched into the side of bottle tells me the fines and compounds in the wine have reacted as desired and settled out. Drink this now. It is where it should be.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great accompanyment for a filet. Wine matched and paired with the buttery richness of the meal and delivered an elegant and satin like experience of taste and texture. Fruits and field notes fully integrated and bound into an expression of finesse in the glass and palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+. It need min 3 hours for decanting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bought on release. The show promise is one of the better ones at the vintage. Right now it is minimal character attractiveness. No web pencil or tobacco to speak of. Boring boring wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+. Can feel tannin is still a little harsh given the vintage and decanting the wine minimum with 2 hours should smoothen the tannin.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This needed six hours after decanting before it opened up. Exceptionally smooth with cherries, earthy notes, and tobacco. Well made, balanced. Delicious but not a lot of complexity. Drink or hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This seems to need more time. Nice dark color to the wine. The tannins are pretty overpowering at this point. There is lovely fruit, but it's unclear if the tannins will resolve enough to let the fruit shine. I'd give bottles at least 5 more years in the cellar, maybe 10. Not a lot of tertiary on the nose yet. There is a bit of greenness to this wine, but not too much. It's a delicious wine. No noticeable wood on the wine at this point. Fairly long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting (Fribourg): 2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting. Key takeaways: 1/ 31 out of 32 wines were in flawless condition which indicates either luck or less bottle variation in the vintage, 2/ On average still early days with the fruit predominantly primary, 3/ solid hedonistic quality with only few laggards, but also no blow-outs, 4/ structures built on both tannin and acidity, but common mid-palate weakness, 5/ best wines were Valandrau, Palmer and a surprise underdog Lagrange (all 95), 6/ biggest disappointment was a cooked Figeac (87). More comments and full list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: Intense fruit of red cherry which in terms of ripeness really nails it at a perfect spot. Accents of sweet spice, white pepper and mineral notes of iodine. Palate is well-balanced with nicely integrated tannin, a long finish and one of the strongest mid-palates in this vintage horizontal.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium-bodied, fully developed with an austere edge to the crunchy, leafy, spicy, minty red fruits and forest leaf characteristics, you can enjoy this classic-leaning, old-school-styled wine now and over the next decade with ease.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A good accompaniment to a salmon, spinach and roast potatoe dinner. A bit restrained with the fruit but a solid core of flavor that did not get tired over the evening. Flavors were enjoyable and included for us blackberries, cherries, light leather and granite,
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had this wine before and was disappointed but this bottle was magnificent. Tasted blind alongside four other Bordeaux blends and this was the best. Tertiary and delightful aromas of mushroom, earth, forest floor and damp leaf is what hits the nostrils first and buried underneath is the black fruit. The palate has blackberry, blackcurrant, cedar spice and soft medium body with a clean cut acidity. Fully mature.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened 45 minutes prior to drinking but not decanted. Drinking near perfectly now, but should have 5+ years to go. Very little sediment. Still little to no browning at the edges. Aromas of elderberry preserves and soft leather. Medium bodied with extended finish. Elegant wine, perfectly balanced. May be the best from an unspectacular vintage.
A good wine from a very average vintage, it has further evolved in the last year. It does need a few hours in the decanter, but I think it has hit its drinking window and found its identity. The palate is aromatic with blackcurrant and tobacco leaf with floral hints and is excellent. The palate is more austere than you would associate with a Lalande, but well balanced. Likewise the finish is uncharacteristically robust but with good lenghth and depth. There is potential upside as the tannin further sweetens but it is ready to drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lighter than its 2000 wine, but still a classic Bordeaux blend. I did not crack this early. Just removed the cork and poured. It was drinking with good intensity, a little hold in the middle but reasonable length.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gracious, smooth and very pleasant. A classic claret one would be thrilled to have on a regular basis. Fully resolved, no sharp edges and bite; the finish was soft and sweet. Drink now to 2025.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Note upon opening - immediately singing and ready for business. Colour is medium plum garnet, not showing much browning on the rim. Nose is quite intense, fragrant with currant and red plum fruit, notes of orange peel, dried herbs, interesting. Palate is medium bodied, crisp with good acidity, fine dry tannins and a nice mid palate sweetness. Dry, with red and blackcurrant fruit, some red plum, long savoury finish. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
There’s some bias to this note as I love PLL (and Togni, and top Loire Cab Francs). Color is dark for a 19 year old Bordeaux (like so many of the non-‘03 early 2000s BDX). Some garnet forming at the edge. No murkiness as noted in another report below (that’s a sign of a damaged bottle). To me this has the classic PLL profile on the nose — at first some Rhubarb that faded quickly to currant bush, cedar, some green coffee and plummy fruit in the background. Tannins are very fine at this point. Kind of direct but not angular. Some dilution — but, good flavors and a moderately persistent finish. You will not confuse this with the 1982, 1986, 1989, 1996, 2000, or 2001 (which is a major sleeper IMO) — but, it’s a fine bottle of mature Bordeaux. No rush to drink this, IMO. Will be fine and maybe better in 5 years. 1h decant / stored 55 since release.
2002 was not a vintage to brag about. The wine is disjoint. Could not integrate, and very murky color. I got sour salted plum for some reason. I think the blend is a little off.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted only 30 mins; color was very solid to the rim. Pleasing scent of blackberry, apple, forest and moss. Flavors followed through very true to the nose with a good core of acidity. Matched the grilled lamb nicely, look forward to more of this one.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Quite a deep ruby colour with some edge fading. Full-bodied, with a firm tannin bite, and very tight upon opening. A one-hour decant brought about luscious blackberry and cassis, and fresh mint as ewell as some dried grass, then coffee and chocolate. Long finish, and fairly complex
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
3 years after my last note on this wine. Still going strong for what’s considered a weak vintage. Decanted briefly before drinking. Very little bricking. Rich red and dark fruit, with some cigar smoke and sandalwood on the edge. Quite fine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A wine to be appreciated in calm surroundings rather than a rauccous dinner party; it is all about nuance and lightness of touch; certainly open for business now as compared to 3 years ago; this has a classic Pauillac nose but after 1 hour the leafy cabernet elements really come through giving this a poise and freshness that elevate it into something more refined. Beautiful. Will keep many more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Private dinner (Nidau): Decanted an hour before dinner. Very classical, tertiary notes with red and black berries, good freshness, medium+ bodied, long finish. Great achievement for the 2002 vintage. In a good shape now but there is no hurry, it has a good structure for further development and 10+ years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
24 Vintages of Pichon Lalande: All wines tasted blind. A few general observations: 1) Most wines showed the typical Pichon Lalande elegance. This is certainly one of the more delicate and elegant Paulliacs. 2) The relatively high Merlot content (often 20-30%) showed in many wines with fine, fresh rhubarb, rosehip and floral aromas I wouldn’t necessarily associate with a Medoc - all adding to the sensuous quality of the wines. 3) A few vintages showed the very sexy burnt sugar/coffee notes you associate with the 1982 Lalande or a Mouton or a Cheval Blanc - unfortunately, not to an extent and with an intensity to truly excite. 4) Following the legendary 1982 and until the most recent vintages (starting with 2014 but especially with 2016) there are three decades of pleasant Pichon Lalandes but hardly any vintage has the depth and length of truly great wines. The best wine tonight was the 2009 (rated 95+ points) with many more in the 92-94 point category.
TN: This bottle didn’t perform. On the nose it was quite porty and on the palate you find the same notes and it’s heavy. It was not the best period of Pichon Comtesse and 2002 was not the best vintage but my guess is that this bottle wasn’t correct either. Too old and weird for its age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Although one of the best performers in a a very average year, it is not one of the stellar vintages from the estate. It is drinking very well already but benefits from a few hours in the decanter. The nose is all about blackcurrant and tobacco with fresh red berry fruits and floral hints. The palate is austere and a throwback in style with strong tannin which is balanced but dominant over the fruit. Likewise the finish is robust but lengthy and well balanced. It will be interesting if further aging will improve the wine as I do feel that there is still some greenness on the palate and finish. 93+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Old school style, even austere. Nose of black currant, earth, pencil shavings and tar with red fruits core ( raspberries & strawberries). Very nice concentration but monolithic profile and as said above old schooled style, This is tannic and a bit harsh. Totally different compare to modern Bordeaux or Napa cabernets. On the second day got a bit softer. Anyway very interesting experience and wine showed class and pedigree.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty closed upon opening, but opened up after an hour or so. Lovely nuanced nose of leafy tobacco with a distinct elegant herbaceous character. Black fruits and currants on the palate, smokey, with some tertiary notes. Finish is strong, however here some angular tannins show up, implying it’s still on the upswing. Doesn’t have the polish and power of the more vaulted vintages—but shows nice typicity of the estate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
enttäuschend. Nase:rauchig, etwas Zimt grün, unreif. Fleisch und Volumen fehlen danach dto 1990 sehr viel harmonischer, App-typisch , aber nicht „groß“ 79er z Abschluss:großartig, erfreuliche Überraschung
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First bottle of a case purchased EP. short decant. Wonderful, complex nose that evolved over time, starting with some secondary characteristics especially mushrooms that faded a bit and pure fruit emerged. Silky smooth palate, red and black cherries, red plums. Lingering finish.
A terrific bottle of Bordeaux, above expectations for a less- heralded year, drinking beautifully right now.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely bottle of Bordeaux! Classic Pauillac aromas of cedar, cassis, and tobacco. Dark cherry, mushroom/earth, and some green asparagus-like notes in the mouth. Medium weight and medium finish. Tannins remain evident and serve to lift and brighten the dark, woodsy fruit. Just a wonderful effort for the vintage. Very fine and at peak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid Lalande, but definitely showing more green herbaceousness than the more refined vintages. Quite aromatic, tobacco and herbal notes. Palate is round, probably from the strong merlot component, with dark fruit notes and savory complexity. Finish turns slightly bitter, fine tannins and medium weight. Still seems some time to integrate. A solid drinkable vintage—but doesn’t have the elegance and nuance of the “greater” vintages. Good concentration for the vintage, however.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very possibly in peak shape right now. This has everything - beautiful nose that hints at more, rounded, mouth filling taste and ridiculous length. It’s been some time since I’ve tried this wine, and I only have a couple of the original case left. Totally worth trying now and over the next year if you have some. But I don’t think it’s going to get any better than this - that said, the next two will be kept for when it’s at least 20 years old.
Bought in future, perfectly stored in OWC. First bottle of the case I opened and I am not too sure what to think about it. On the one hand, it’s fresh, lively, does not show any signs of ageing. On the other hand, it’s flawless, pure but completely one dimension, no depth. So I asked myself what I would think if I did not know what it was and if I could even vaguely identify part of its identity. I would most likely say merlot-based, rather young, good terroir and would conclude 2014/2015/2016 St. Emilion or neighbouring villages. Good producer from unexceptional terroir. That’s what I thought and I am curious if this wine will ever evolve or plateau for 5-10 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Starting to lighten at the edges. Opens up with a bouquet of cigar box, underbrush, cassis, tobacco, hints of black cherry. Palate follows with more fruit evident. Still has considerable structure, with fine tannins on the finish and bright acidity. This wine is still very much alive, but I think it is a great time to pop a cork. Classic Pauillac.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a fantastic wine from less than heralded vintage. Great purity, dark fruit still going strong and tannin pretty much resolved. I don’t get any tertiary characteristics and secondary reasonably expressed, but this wine has many years ahead. Wish I hadn’t sold the other bottles. 93
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very good example of left bank Bordeaux. IMHO this is about the peak time for it, but it should hold up and develop for several more years if you prefer the more aged style.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great pure fruit, lovely feminine wine. Good dried herbs, sharp acid, dark cherry. Bright with minerals. Must have petite verdot or cab franc, has that green herbal element. Lovely, drinking well. Should hold on for quite a while. Always a complex and broad wine, this vintage is very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last tasted nearly 2 years ago, this is firmly in its drinking window. The appearance is deceptively youthful, but it is deep and aromatic displaying blackcurrant and plum with wafts of violet and vanilla. On the palate the tannin reminds you that it is a Paulliac, but everything is in harmony. The finish is decent but a little on the shorter side. It remains to be seen if further aging will bring more complexity to the wine with more secondary and tertiary notes coming to the fore. There is no doubt that this was one of the stars of an off year, and hopefully will continue to develop and stay there for at least the next decade.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
13% ABV. Still dark in color, the 2002 Pichon Lalande is a textbook Pauillac all the way. Gorgeous aromas of cassis, pipe tobacco, plum, mint and violets get progressively stronger with air. In the mouth, there is medium body, blackberries, milk chocolate, earth and minerals, along with ample refreshing acidity. There is still a little bit of tannin on the long finish, but it provides a gentle, almost caressing grip and is not at all obtrusive. Stylistically, this classic Pichon reminds me of the 1996, although the 2002 is slightly less generous than that stellar vintage...at least at the moment. Now comfortably in its early drinking window, but will undoubtedly last for at least another 10-15 years. Flat-out terrific! 94.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Starting to show some rim evolution. Cassis, soy, some underbrush on the nose. Medium bodied and soft on the palate. Finish short but pleasing nonetheless. Seems to be drinking at its peak, and doesn’t seem to have the stuffing to last too much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking better than ever. Quite supple with a rich flavor profile of dark fruits and cherry. Balanced, open knit, showing poise and elegance. Start drinking now. Opens up in the glass, no need to decant.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tannic and classically structured, it’s like black currant liqueur with a handful of graphite. Beautiful saturated purple color and a bouquet of melted licorice, lavender, barbecue smoke and figs. A real joy to drink right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slowly slowly slowly this is creeping out of a hard-as-nails shut-down phase - this time it flickers and shines and does not strip off your teeth enamel - now it is kinder and rounder. However, dont go expecting any fruit bomb here - this is very much at the Cabernet-Franc end of the palate spectrum. Classic Paulliac notes dialled back to 1. Very much anti-Spinal-Tap.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fresh, milky profile, dark and rounded. Must have a hefty dose of merlot. Nice depth for an 02, seamless and classy, lovely balance. Early maturity here, probably better in 5-10, but nice with a steak today.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A flat tire.... this wine is a real disappointment. I realize the vintage is a miss... but I would expect more from a great estate. Flat, insipid and lacking much character or substance. A wine to drink with a casual mid week meal, not for a finer event.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. Dark ruby with a youthful look. The nose was muted, a hint of poo initially which wasn't good and then the plum and blackberry fruit emerged but it took some coaxing. To taste it had the plum and blackberry, oak spice, tannins and bright acidity. My summary was it was quite simple! When it was revealed what it was, I, and everyone else were a little stunned! This wine didn't resemble any of the tasting notes of other CTer's and I actually seemed youthful and primary. Maybe a dumb phase but I've score it on what I tasted.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Perhaps it was a bad bottle, but our bottle was disappointing. While not flawed or off and still containing many of the typical Bordeaux notes you'd expect (plum, blackcurrant, cedar, forest floor, leather), it simply was very muted compared to other '02 Pauillac Bordeaux we compared it against (in a blind tasting vs. '02 Lafite, Pichon Baron Comtesse, Duhart-Milon and Lynch-Bages), making me think this is possibly over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Über 2 Tage getrunken, an beiden gleich gut. Ist halt nicht der überragende Jahrgang. Nicht ganz so fein wie der gleichzeitig geöffnete Sassicaia 2004. Aber he, der hat damals keine 60 Franken gekostet und das ist er allemal wert.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting note courtesy of JONATHANP's bottle-thanks mate! My impressions were quite similar. The nose was muted, showing elegance and slight cedar. The palate was well balanced without being overly lush or fruity and there some tannins on the finish. This is in the drinking window and should improve further.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drunk over 2 days. Initially quite subdued and very correct, but unfolded over time to show some lovely black fruit, graphite, leather, and earth. Nice balance on the palate which tends towards lean than abundant. Nice integrated acidity with tannins that are resolving and slightly dusty. In its drinking window but should hold for some time if you prefer those tertiary notes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark ruby. Decanted for 1h but it did not help much to balance the mix. The wine remained on the lean and tannic side the whole dinner. Shows that the cold vintage of 2002 cannot hide. There are better Pichon Lalande.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 30-45 minutes, needed three hours. Drinking well but is a little big right now. More fruit that leather, leaves, and dust which is what I am looking for in this wine. Very enjoyable though but need to keep my hands of the other for a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic nose. Tannins are now beautifully integrated making this very velvety. Despite my worries, the fruit is holding up well. Not the greatest vintage but a very enjoyable wine nonetheless and drinking well now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Day of the Goat: A Pichon Lalande Fractured Vertical (Leo & Cheryl's Place, Mpls, MN): Very dark red/purple. This had been open for about 12 hours of slow O. Drank a glass in a flight with the '04 and '11. Very good, mint and herbal notes on the nose with dark fruit and wood. The palate is full bodied and dense for the vintage, black fruits, dark cherry, plum, earth, pencil, nice texture. Really good.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
We opend a bottle for our traditional easter lunch paired with lamb filet , decanted for 1 hour, right after opening quite dry, greenish, some hints of berries, after 1 hour better, well integeated tanins, still berries black current, some earth, pencil, it did not delop further over the next 4 hours, I was a bit disappointed, given the heritage of the chateau, I drank a 1966 2 years ago which was ample better. With food still a good wine
Tasted along side the '06. This was a more nuanced and ready PLL vs. the 06. A lighter vintage for sure, but no shortage of classic PLL character with ample bell pepper and cigar complementing the red fruits. Smooth, with well integrated tannins. In a nice zone and not going to get any better, but should hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pretty much what JoeAlex said recently on CT....I might add the fruit is a bit red and tart starting out after opening. It darkens a bit with 2 hours of air and loses most if not all of its tart character. It's a nice well made wine, just not a knockout.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In smell black currant and classic for PL hallmarks of strawberry and raspberry notes ( from merlot grapes) . Fantastic concentration, medium body, very elegant or even austere style of wine typical for Pauillac, completly different compare to Napa cabernets. Long dry aftertaste. Fruits are slightly fading so it won't be better. There is no need to wait more. Drink now. I recomend long decanting as last sip ( on second day) tasted the best!
Short decant and opened after about 20 minutes. Dark black cherry, pencil lead, and roasted green aromas. Fell slightly short in the mouth. Hit the right Pauillac notes but was just a bit muted. Didn't really pop. Red cherry and some charcoal with a very long tannic finish. Will hold in this place for a while but don't look for much improvement. Fine pairing with beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
It ain’t Thanksgiving. There is no stuffing here. From a magnum last of a triplet. Just ok. I bought this en primeur so it was inexpensive. To quote a friend. If this were a date, hmmm. She’d be a bit of a prude and a tad pedantic. You would be sitting across the table thinking. There has to be more to this vapid comtesse. But in the end there isn’t. So you go across the street and meet a firm Margaux.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
PnP, consumed over 1.5 hours. Just a few minutes in the glass to blow off the 16 year funk. This is really lovely. Big nose of dark fruit. Still plenty of power in the mouth. Will check development in 2020 for remaining bottles
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last tasted 21 months ago where I posted a tasting note with a score of 85 points. There must be bottle variation or age treated it well because this time around it was drinking much better than before. Decanted for 1 hour.
Black currant, anise, loamy soil, tobacco, leather, pencil shavings, green herb with a touch of compost. Dusty tannin that is almost fully resolved. It does still have a touch of what I described as plastic aftertaste, but I believe it is an expression of the Petit Verdot showing its herbal character.
Drink now as this is not the best vintage of PLC. It is as good as it is going to get.
Decanted this one far too long. The fruit had disappeared and the secondary characteristics weren’t as interesting. Still fine with some nice sous bois elements, but I preferred the fresher bottle
First bottle of a “lost” 6 pack purchased on release for $45. Drinking beautifully now. Very full in the nose and mouth, great balance of berry fruits and leather notes. Lightly decanted, started with strong blueberry notes, and gained complexity over 1.5 hours. Still well structured. May not improve much but should stay at this level for a while, based on this bottle
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
At a restaurant. Decanted for an hour. Opened much later, at the end of dinner. Needed a lot more air. A very good Pichon Longueville considering the vintage. Ready to drink now and for the next 5 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A nice bottle of wine, certainly well made and ready to drink. There is a watery hole in the middle of the palate, but the fruit mostly covers it up. Drink now. A fine wine in an off vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2 hour decant. This opens up with a wonderfully aromatic nose of green bell pepper, fennel leaf and blackberry which follows through on the juicy, medium bodied palate with good acidity giving way to a pleasant lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable and kicking myself for not having bought more.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ready to drink, but in the early stages of maturity with evolvement ahead of it. The nose is deep with aromas of plum, cherry, blackcurrent, and liquorice with a background hint of vanilla. On the palate the wine is still showing its youth but it is starting to show its long term potential with an excellent depth and a lengthy finish. It is probably not going to compete with the 82, 86, and 96, but it certainly will be one the shining lights of the last 35 years from the estate. A very enjoyable wine, and one that should continue to develop over the next 5 years and stay there for the next couple of decades.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still quite young and served after only a splash decant, this shows a rich but elegant cassis, cedary, white flower bouquet with nutty top-notes. No green on this and not at all lean with classic Pichon Comtesse poise. Medium-bodied, this really glides across the palate. Its best years are ahead and, even if it won't hit the highs of the 82 or 96, this easily trumps the 01, 03, and probably 04. 92+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Already ruby and mature in appearance. Meaty nose of soy and spice. Palate is lean with strong tannins starting to resolve. Assertive for a 2002, classic. Not for folks who like lots of fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a 375. Deep ruby, clear, only hints of bricking but overall youthful color; moderately aromatic, blackberry, but more strongly notable for some bell pepper, slight green, balanced and elegant nose; palate is full bodied, well integrated primary black fruit, tannins are present and youthful but approachable, medium-plus acidity; medium finish. Classic bordeaux, notable elegance and balance that I expect from Pichon Comtesse, not a blockbuster given the slight lack of robust fruit in the midpalate and at the end of the finish, but it has enough complexity and depth in the nose and palate to hold its own. Youthful, enjoyable, promising, but falls short of the best vintages. 90-91+ 2.5 hours air: Honestly hasn't changed too much. Elegant, balanced, tannins still youthful but smooth, will likely improve for 5-10+ years. 91+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful classic Bordeaux nose. Still very youthful on the palate. My only concern here is that it is still somewhat green and the tannins remain - just not sure the fruit is going to last long enough to make this a world class wine. Enjoyable nonetheless - let’s see where it goes over the coming years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Some Fine Older Bordeaux and Cabs (Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN): This bottle had been splash double decanted and was immediately recorked early in the day. This came off very young, need more air tonight, firm dusty tannins dominate, dark fruits and a rather tight palate. I still preferred it to the more herbal and green edged '01 though. 90+ to 91pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking very youthfully tight in the context of a lineup with several fully mature btls from the mid 80s to the mid 90s. Not sure this will ever be a rockstar but its pretty early to know definitively. So unfair to drink young BDX along side wines that are more fully realized. Next time we'll set the date range at 00 and back. My companion 01 was also very youthful in this lineup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs a quick, splashy decant. Tight as a drum at first, but opens up showing cherries, biting tannins, and a medicinal minerality that indicates this needs a few more years in the cellar. The medium bodied fruit has good length on the finish. Drink now or cellar to 2023.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is not prince charming. You get something to chew . Bit rustic . After 5 h of decanting it gets more civilized. I m afraid that with time the little fruit will dry out. I don t see this promising. Nevertheless a good glass of classic claret. Needs food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ch. Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Vertical Tasting with Nicolas Glumineau (Taberna del Alabardero): I didn't care for this wine on release, but I have found this vintage very enjoyable lately in general and surprising to the upside, so was curious to see what's become of this one. Not quite ready for primetime, though. The nose is mostly cedary with a sweet fruity backdrop - still quite youthful. On the palate, however, it feels kind of bony and lacking flesh, pretty much in line with the early vintage reputation as perhaps excessively structured. A very spinal and crunchy mouthfeel. In every lineup there's always something that just seems to get lost in the mix. Today, that's this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pichon Lalande dinner with Nicolas Glumineau (Taberna del Alabardero, Washington D.C.): Expressive nose displaying ripe blue and black fruit, cassis, dry blueberry, black cherry, licorice, a hint of lead pencil and bell pepper, and strong earthy mineral. Impressive concentration, sweet slightly dry black fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity, a hint of bitterness in the middle and a medium to long black fruit and bell pepper driven finish. Noticeable tannins at the end. Just like the other 02 top left bank wines, it displays impressive concentration and generous fruit but feels a bit “chunky”. Still very youthful and will improve for another decade or two, i.e. if you prefer the tertiary notes.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
An RP recommendation in its early days and one which I think has fully lived up to its promise. I am a little confused as to some of the lukewarm reviews of late. This is an excellent wine with a deep perfumed nose of cherry, blackcurrent, and plum with subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate it will benefit from more time in the bottle, but it still exhibits good depth balanced with robust resolved tannin and completes with a good finish. A shorter decant is preferable. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking well, it lacks the beautiful fruit Pichon is known for. A good second bottle. Soft fruit with tannins still present but this lacks a strong mid-palate that would have made this great.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hope I didn't pay too much for this. Perfectly fine, but nothing special here. Mediocre vintage, so shouldn't expect much, and that's what I got. Lots of tannin, some fruit somewhere, but nothing memorable over a couple nights.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hard for me to write this review because my Francophile moment with wine occurred with a bottle of 1995 Pichon Lalande and the love affair has continued with the 1982 & 1996 vintages. However, this did not live up to my expectations. A decent nose, but reticent and not throwing classic Pauillac aromas except for black licorice, cedar, but still very primary. The tannin is resolved, fine, and silky smooth. However, there was an off putting plastic like after taste that I do not like. I far prefer the 2001 to the 2002 vintage.
A La Cremaillere - I'm pleased to own this. A very complete wine despite the vintage. Won't make ancient bones but there's enough there to improve with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slow ox'ed for 3-4 hours. Sweet fruit on the nose With cassis and cherry with some oak-derived cedar notes and some tertiary forest floor. Medium bodied on the palate, which is a little more savoury than the nose suggests. Despite not being a large scaled wine, There is great intensity and presence for the vintage. Nothing forced at all and the balance is excellent. Finish has dusty tannins. Has entered its drinking window but will probably continue to improve over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Unbelievable for this year 2002. Opened and decanted three ours before drinking. Perfect Pauillac, mature but not over the peak. Unfortunately it was my last of three bottles....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose of wood and tar . Dark nose !!!!! After 5 h of decanting you get a medium bodied bordeaux. You feel the not so great vintage. But a very lovely mouthfeel of red fruits on the forestfloor. Glad i have more . Has a few years left and won t ever become a big boy ! But i like it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Couple hour decant, while a very nice typical blend from PLL, this lacked the intensity of fruit that better vintages have. Otherwise ready to drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic Bordeaux nose. Whilst the fruit is beginning to fade, it's beautifully balanced with a nice acidity and a lovely long finish. Really enjoyable and plenty of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep red. The 2002 Pichon Lalande opens up with aromas of cassis, lead pencil, plums and hints of leather. Medium-bodied and still rather primary in the mouth, with a melange of dark fruits, chocolate and minerals leading the way to a fairly long finish with a still-substantial amount of very fine late-arriving tannin. This is quite good now, and is certainly approachable with air. That said, I think it would benefit from a few more years in the cellar, which should bring out additional nuances and further soften the tannins. Seems like a mini-1996 to me, though I think it is unlikely to reach the lofty heights of that magnificent wine. Still, a very enjoyable drink. 93.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The slowest developing wine I have ever had. First night I was ready to write it off. No fruit at all. But 2-3 days later it developed into what I would term a pretty wine. Nothing overwhelming, just nice and almost pinot-like. Somehow very pure in flavor. Cork also held up great. Cannot drink this first night unless you want to mark how it evolves.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just about open for business but I really wouldn't open for another 5 years. Very primary. Bit farmyard in opening, but this blew off with time. Got brambles and blackcurrent on the palate over time. Soft and silly tannins, but a bit too much wood for my taste. Decent given the vintage is regarded as poor.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet coloured. smell is amazing right upon opening. rich caramel, dried fruit, some tobacco and menthol. the body is medium. acidity is high, a much fresher style than is expected. medium bodied, tannins aren't too harsh. finish is of green peppers. I expect it will keep well for another 5+ years and has more potential!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. At first, stench of old socks. Dark and minty, with a core of black fruit and some bitterness. Somewhat disappointing and one dimensional.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slightly more drinkable the the '00 we had the same night, but just barely. Still needs lots of time and patience to get to the point where it's elegant and enjoyable. Give it at least 10 more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Une bouteille beaucoup plus fermée que la précédente. C'est bien fait mais il aurait fallu attendre celle-ci quelques années. Que faire avec la dernière?
Nez tres séduisant de cèdre, de mûres, mine de crayon, fumée. La bouche montre la finesse d'un Margaux (oui le Château!). C'est parfaitement équilibré, avec une texture en bouche magnifique, qui laisse une impression de noblesse, une véritable caresse au palais. Attention, ce n'est pas pour autant une mauviette, le bois a laissé sa marque assouplissante sur le vin, mais sans en imprégner les arômes. La finale est subtile et minérale, seule sa longueur relativement modeste sépare le vin des grands millésimes du domaine. Un vrai vin de repas, aussi facile à boire que délicieux. 93 pts
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. Appearance of Dark Ruby with vibrant hues. Sweet ripe fruits on the nose but subtle and still youthful, along with dark cherry, peppery spice, hints of oak and menthol. Still pretty primary on palate with blackcurrant, dark cherry and tobacco. Supple mouth feel, solid midpalate but posses elegant and finesse. Fine soft chewy tannins and persistent spicy finish. Drinking very well, rich and robust. Another excellent '02 left bank that transcend the cooler vintage and over delivered. From a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark cherries, dark forest fruits, tobacco and luxurious oak in the bouquet. On the palate a good concentration (definitely for the vintage), plums, dark forest fruits, some chocolate, good acidity and slightly sticky and a bit drying tannin. Early maturity now. Imho the wine might improve a bit over the next 3 - 4 years of aging. 90+ for tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ok, so do not open this for 10 years, or give it a 24 hour slow-ox. The first night it was totally unyielding. Tonight, after 24 hours of air it showed more fruit, better balance and significant promise for the future.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had a pour from Aaron and David's table, but couldn't really be too contemplative about this wine, as I was the host of a raging party. Nice wine, reflective of the vintage. I put this behind the '02 Lynch Bages which seemed to show more character. David thought this was an off bottle. My daughter's birth year wine, from Uncle Aaron's cellar, enjoyed at her Bat Mitzvah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Took a couple hours to come around on the palate but seemed much more open on the nose in much shorter term. Leather, pencil shavings, blackberries and black currant but with underlying red fruits. Smooth but tannins were still quite firm. Another few years of aging will be good for this wine. The most disappointing thing was the cork - it was the worst crumbler I've ever experienced in such a relatively young wine. Not soaked; it just disintegrated. My first bottle so I hope others are not the same.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very very austere. Finely crafted, sophisticated, but the fruit core is now gone. Also no greenness, I suspect they tried too hard to overcome this. There are better 2002 Medocs that embraced the vintage's slightly green but intense Cabernet Sauvignon.
I hold out no hope that this will blossom in future years.
Wednesday night at La Barca with Davyd. Aired for about an hour in decanter before drinking. Tasted blind. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with garnet rim. Legs. Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead, and inky newspaper with more air. Developing. On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol, fine medium tannins, full body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of blackberries, blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead. Long finish. Good quality. I guessed a nice 10 year old Left Bank Bordeaux. Could still develop a bit of tertiary notes over the next 5 years, but probably won't improve much beyond that.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Thin. Was hoping for something more. Still has some fairly firm tannins on the finish, but very little fruit coming through. It's a fine wine but not for me.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Found 4 of these in the cellar, never logged them in. This is the first bottle. It's quite dark and opaque. The first night this was tight as hell. the tannin singed my tongue, hard and green. Night 3 now (48 hours later) and it has softened up quite a bit with a very strong core of fruit. The nose is intoxicating and sweet. This has become very enjoyable, much to my surprise considering how hard it was upon first opening. Hopefully I will remember to let these lie for at least 5 more years, I think they'll come around. 92 points is my rating based on night #3.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not for those who are lovers of fruit bombs - this wears the vintage on its sleeve and is more about nuance than slaps across the face. Herbal and taut at first but an hour later some minerals and black fruits start to come through. This will never be a wine to please all people - I rather like its austere character but not sure it will ever truly come round to greatness.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
deep ruby color - nose graphite with sandal wood, still a little bit fruity - taste very harmonic and fruity with integrated tannins - long finish - the last of 12 bottles and the best - wine is at its climax - drink and enjoy now
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for about 2 hours. As you would expect, lighter in body than many pauillacs with a decent amount of acidity. Medium length. I really liked this wine - I thought it went really well with food. Highly enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Terroir-istes International - France, Bordeaux, Pauillac (Rodwell House): 51% CS, 34% Merlot, 9% CF; 6% PV: Deep crimson, the nose appears youthful and full of chocolate, dried spices, mocha, blackcurrant, cassis, and tobacco. Full-bodied, the wine enters warm with some glycerol, deeply intense with plenty of flesh and great concentration. Appealing, the wine is powerful and big-boned, yet the fleshy fruity still appears to spill out over the palate, making it rich and slightly overripe. There is undoubtedly some sweetness here, yet the flavours oscillate between ripe cassis, smoked meat, woodsmoke and a green, almost herbaceous feel suggesting some bipolar conditions at picking? Overall the wine feels a little clumsy and rides over the mid-palate not adding that much depth to create more layers. Could be a trickier year e.g. 2002?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Somewhat disappointing. Wonderful nose of red fruits, earth, and hints of wood. Just came off as somewhat diluted and light and lacking any noticeable length on the finish. Hard for me to tell if it will get better with time or if it's just not up to the level of other vintages.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really enjoyable, classic bottle of Pichon. The aromatics were on point and really filled the glass. Unlike some other 2002 wines from Pauillac, there was also good flavor depth - not exceptional, but good and I think the remaining tannin will integrate well over the next 5 or so years. (92)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Il faut être encore très patient avec ce vin... Le premier soir, malgré quatre heures d'aération après décantation, le vin reste fermé, extrémement dur, inaccessible. J'ai fini par apprécier un peu le verre que je m'étais servi, en fin de soirée. Après plus de 24 heures en revanche : merveille veloutée dont la richesse fuse voluptueusement à travers mes sens. Doux, riche et ample nectar, confiture de myrtille, cassis, violette, graphite, café, chocolat, menthe, du gras et de l'opulence, suavité incroyable... excellent.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classy wine! Graphite, ainse, a little herbs and cedar. Blackcurrents, lavender and earth. Softer and more elegant than 2000 Gruaud Larose but not necessarily better.. Now or later. 92 Points
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent. Wants a couple hours' airing to show itself fully. Dark and intense but not overpowering. Dirt and clay, pencil, maybe just a little greenness. Drink now or later, no hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened by Dan. One of 3 Bordeaux opened at an offline last week and I did not think any of them showed particularly well. This seemed very muted to me. Most of the fruit was hidden and what showed was crushed grape skin. I did not think this was very tannic either so I was not sure what to make of it. Still very drinkable but nothing that stood out. Give this some time to see what comes around. I liked this about as much as the 1978 but not as well as the 2001 or the prodigious 2010. 88 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark garnet color. Aromas of black currants with a touch of tobacco followed by that lovely Pichon Lalande herbal/green streak and plum. Slightly chalky tannins with flavors of plum, currants and red fruit with herb and spice notes. Medium(+) finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened by Dan at Praga offline with xhoser. This was my favorite of the three Bordeauxs opened last night. Black fruits with leather, tobacco and violets.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5 Decades of Chateau Pichon Lalande, with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Quite a bit of colour. The nose is open and very classic. Fine spice, white pepper & herbs dominate. Beautiful nose and easily the highlight of the wine. On the palate the green fruit makes its presence felt early on and makes the wine on the difficult side. Not sure if time can cure this but unfortunately this , green, bitter edge is a major drawback at this stage. 87
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still pretty dark in colour. Red fruit on the nose, cassis, wood, spices. Good fruit on the palate, fresh and quite tannic, but also a bit angular, lean and not very generous. Pretty long and persistent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark colour. Lovely fragrance of classic cassis, pencil, some tobacco, cedar, kirsch and blackberries. On the palate good balance with nice structure and fresh fruit. Medium tannins and acidity. Can't find any disturbing green notes, but it is not the most powerfull of wines. Instead it's elegant and beautifully poised. Great from a so-so vintage!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Appearance: Bright and clear, this wine is of medium ruby color, with legs. Nose: Clean, the nose shows medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe black fruit of blackcurrant, blackberry and brambles, vegetable notes of black olive, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of cedar, pungent spice of liquorice, kernel notes of cocoa, some mineral notes of pencil lead. The wine is developing. Palate: Dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe and silky texture, the wine has medium alcohol and is of medium (+) body with medium (+) intensity flavors of black fruit such as blackberry and blackcurrant, red fruit of plum, herbal notes of tea leaves, oak notes of vanilla and cedar. The wine has a long finish. Conclusion: Very good quality Pauillac with an intense and complex nose, though there is a bit of green and vegetable characters which suggest coming from a more difficult vintage. The palate is very well structured and balanced, the robust concentration making the wine even better on the taste than aroma. With a very long finish, the wine is ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 3-5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Remains red to rim. Nice nose of plums and leather. Dark fruits on the palate. Good length, clean finish, good acidity. Excellent bottle that has many years left but seems a touch light on fruit and structure to allow significant improvement from where it is now. Great wine for this vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Alliance dinner. Great nose of earth, green olive and dark fruit. Same on the palate with a classic Pichon silkiness. This drinks well now but will last for some time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautifully balanced, great wines can still be made in poor vintages. Clean, ripe fruit, touch of olive, perfumed tobacco and minerals. Not the most concentrated, but still a memorable, lengthily finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot produced a wine with olive, wet earth, tobacco and cassis. Medium bodied, with an olive, black cherry and slight herbal quality, the wine feels slightly dry in the finish. I’d opt for drinking this sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting quite good but I feel this will continue to evolve over atleast the next 5-7 years. Rich dark fruit with medium tannins and a lovely mouth-feel, this is not a classic Pichon but a very good one and definitely food friendly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nearly a year since last tasted, and it's continued to evolve. Still a little tight, sharp even, on first taste (after 90 mins decanted) but the tannins are soft and smooth. Inky black in the glass showing it's still young. Good length and plenty going on, yet room for it to become more interesting still.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Vancouver - 2002 Horizontal (Blue Water Cafe): Deep red. Lighter nose with a note of oatmeal (weird I know) along with loads of oak and dark red fruits. Palate is surprisingly soft and almost to the point of being dilute, with no tannins and a very dry finish. Comes across as modern in style. Lighter and elegant and shows very little Bordeaux typicity. A boring wine. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was fine, but unremarkable. Round flavors ... i could have used a bit of something -- anything. I hate the grade inflation in scores, so while this was "good", I'll rate it 89 so that I don't tube the rating overall
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very deep red. Developing nose with cedar and spices and berry fruit. Dark fruits, plum and cherry, on a spicey palate with some might wood notes. Long amd clean. A bit shrill with acidity and a bit of bell pepper, but this should improve with several years time. Leave go until 2015 at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over two days. Score reflects second day. Copious blackberries and currant on the nose. Very long finish. Fantastic wine. I'm guessing this is still a years from its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and poured. A nice, clear, precise red Bordeaux that is enjoyable, but not terribly interesting. Aggressive swirling produced a hint of blackberry and that green/peppery/spicy Lalande character. Next time I would decant to see if it opens up more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full-bodied, rich and royal purple and with an hour of decanting changed beatifully shedding all tannins. give time before drinking. Tobacco, violets, and licorice aromatics with wonderful structure. Elegant and a mouthful of dense complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I find it difficult to evaluate this one. Opened slowly and well but seemed to fall away rather rapidly after about three hours. I think I'll leave it for another six months before trying again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Initially rather severe, with graphite, polished wood, a grainy tannic palate and not much sign of any trademark feminine elements. Opened gradually in the glass to a vey different, more expressive wine - a nose of red fruits, with warmer notes like raisins, spicy expensive oak and a richer but still firm palate. Serious rather than easy, it needed time and attention to appreciate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fruit never came out to play over 3 hours. Nice mouthfeel, round tannins. It had that slight rancid flavor found in some bordeaux's, which is not necessarily a bad thing in moderation. Just need some fruit to go along with it. Drank alongside a 2008 Hall Cabernet, which was more interesting to drink. Perhaps wine is shut down, will try again in a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Potential to score higher than the average (90.4 and I am scoring 92 based on this tasting). After 3 hours in the decanter, it's very together, rounded and silky. I am a huge pichon fan ... So maybe just a little biased, but I like this wine and look forward to the remaining 9 in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Challenging vintage; tight and reticent; closed down? Nose initially sweet blackberry; later moderate fruit and earthy with undeveloped tannins; light finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still youthful, developing nose, very good palate with chocolate notes and dark berry, soft tannins, good finish. Very slight green notes detracts a bit, but improved continually over five hours and I expect many good years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank alongside a 1986 - the new and the old compared. The 02 plainly still has loads of time left. Last night it was good though - decanted for 3 hours - with an initial sense of iron. Black fruits and leather followed, all strong and expressive. Tannins were already rounded with little in the way of rough edges. 10 still left in the case and plenty of time left to enjoy them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A bit stiff with lots of iron and mineral. Has some nice herb but a bit chunky and lean. Tannins are fine and starting just barely to melt into the fruit. Plenty of blackened wood and a long finish with bitter nut. Has a delicate nature under strong angular fruit with a bit of sweet perfume. Not a warm wine, nor is it generous. But it is suave, fairly smooth, complex, and shows real class. Even from 375 this is young. I wouldn't open a 750 for at least 5 years. Does this have a lot of cabernet franc in it? Has that green, peppery edge.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner with Alex bro (Jackson Room): consistent with last time. lovely notes of sweet earth, leather and tobacco. develops nicely in glass. very enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
would never have guessed the vintage given its glorious nose of smoke, coffee, leather and sweet licorice. palate a little dry and short. surely one of the best wines of the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Just checking in on this wine. Still dominated by its structure, but I remain convinced that this will be a fantastic wine when mature. Hands off for another 5 - 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Three hour decant. Very nice nose of pencil, coffee, earth with emerging complexity. Good entry and medium weight on the palate. Clean with chocolate and leather. Finish is a bit short. Deep red, many years left but good now after a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Clear dark purple garnet color, Nose of earthy dark roast coffee, pencil shavings, leather, tobacco, dusty blackberries and crème de cassis fairly balanced, medium acid and full bodied with firm tannins. Palate in line with the nose with some dark chocolate to add to the mix. This wine is currently drinking well with a long decant.. I don't think it will get any better not a great vintage.. This wine has the stuff to last another decade or more
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic perfume of Pauillac. Nice fruit and complexity. I love the Pichon terroir. The wine is tannic and a bit short, but very nice and elegant wine. Nice job in a difficult vintage. Drank along side the 2002 Pavie and I have to say the Pavie was better. Tight and closed for about three hours in the decanter. Very nice with Pork Rillettes that I served at my Bordeaux dinner party.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark and very tannic but big-scaled. Kind of monolithic now but possesses a lot of material. It improved, although stubbornly, after a 2-hr decant. Seems to need a load of time but the tannins are a touch green which is a concern. Reminds me of the '86 although even that wine was never this closed and non-forgiving. We'll see. 88+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oh dear - green green green and sharp. The fruit is hiding or barely peeping through some fairly astringent tannins. Reticent on the nose - the palate is tarte, short and bitter. I wouldn't say this is in a dumb phase - it just seems to lack the depth and oomph you would expect from a chateau such as this. Time may be kind to this wine in the long run but I wouldn't bet on it.
For now it is sitting in a decanter and I'll come back to it in a few hours.
7 hours later this is more palatable but it is also being drunk with food - less pronounced tannins and greenness but still lacks the depth and class for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This remains an undiscovered treasure. Good color, jammy black fruit, chocolate, olives, tobacco and spice in the perfume. Already showing well, this Bordeaux wine offers a beautiful palate feel. It is an elegant style of wine that ends with ample, soft, sweet black fruit and elegant textures in the mouth. Give it 2 or 3 more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Consumed over two days. Dark purple color. Wonderful nose (better on the 2nd day) of currants, blackberries, raspberries, and earth. Full on the palate with an earthy finish. Very good: better with time...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow - has this shut down. Tannic, dense and brooding. Great depth and concentration, but it's currently dominated by it's structure. I won't touch another bottle for at least ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I felt like I was committing infanticide by drinking this wine, but I have six more and really wanted to give it a try...
Decanted about 60 minutes, Wonderful nose of currants and other black fruit. Very full in the mouth with more fruit and subtle other flavors: leather? Not too much tannin. A medium long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pichon-Lalande Vertical (Harry's Steak): Way more tannic than the '01, in fact almost abrasive on the finish. Hm - pouring them in the same glass might make a complete wine....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
HDH bordeaux tasting (evanston IL): nose: real nice soft floral nose. Blueberry, some cranberry, and a slight bit of cedar on the nose. much more merlot used in this vintage
taste: real nice soft mouth. some cranberry, blueberry, cedar, and hints of leather
overall: real nice. much more merlot based and gives us that floral aspect that merlot brings. Unfortunetly there isn't much of a finish, but this wine has that nice femininity that LaLande is known for
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
drank over two nights. Tanic, harsh, bitter. Some say it is not ready but i don't think there is anywhere near enough fruit to develop.lightly perfumed nose with smoke, coffee and dirt. lacks stuffing. .
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Incredibly tannic. Almost pure vinegar. But sensing the fruit behind, I evaluated the wine each day. On day 3 it was aproacheble, displaying nice fruit, and softness on the palate. When I first saw the drinking window, starting with 2012, I just couldnt believe it. Now I can.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winestreet Does France and Italy (Kozlak's, North Oaks, MN): Great nose of red cherries, cedar, pencil lead, and herbs. The palate is shut down pretty hard -- the midpate just kind of vanishes. Soft mouthfeel. This was tough to evaluate because it was so closed. Judgment reserved.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winestreet Tastes France and Italy (including 04 Mouton, 03 Chapelle, 05 Girardin, and 02 Lalande): The color is a dark red/purple. The nose is the classic Pichon Lalande. I can't describe it, but I know it when I smell it. I would say red fruit, minerals, smoke, leather, and that tell-tale greenness. Awesome. On the palate this is very structured. The fruit is present, but the structure dominates at this point. My notes read "stern, reserved, classic." It is definitely worth laying a few of these down, as they should develop nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not sure what I was expecting from this bottle, but i do not think I got it. There was a lot of fruit and good tannin, but there was little or no structure. I hope the wine was just in an akward stage because I have a few more. I opened this as a basis for an additional purchase, but I will pass for now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The cork was bulging out about 2 milimetres, so I decided to pop this one to find out if it was suffering from heat damage. It displayed a beautiful purple core with a slightly lighter pink color along the rim. No visible signs of anything wrong. All in all, this was an enjoyable wine, but it seemed to have some sort of odd "cooked" flavour in the aftertaste. Almost unnoticable and only a bit disturbing. Apart from that, the 2002 Comtesse shows rich and succulent fruit, pretty harsh tannins and a persistent finish that holds promises for the future. I hope it puts on some weight though. I would love to taste a flawless bottle. 90+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, dark and backward. Day 1 was essentially not enjoyable. Concentrated and tannic. However, by day 2 (and 3) this really opened up to show a fabulous nose of currants, cassis, lead pencil and charcoal. This is really promising with pure fruit and an absolute steal at $29.99 when I bought it. However, I say if you are short on supply, leave it alone for minimum 7 years. If you are going to open, decant for hours if not a day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark color. Sweet candied fruit nose with sweet spice & clove.
Sweet dark fruit. Tar core. Smoth with classy dark burnt oak. Some sweet spice. Tastes like a hot weather wine. Long burnt nut bitter finish. Expansive high tones, good structure, creamy. Dominated by dark notes with some secondary flavors. Needs integration. Will there be enough fruit to blossom? B/B+
Improved on day 2. This will be a very nice wine.
$29 375ml Zachy's 3/06
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As I thought this might be tight, I opened and decanted at noon. The color was rich and a purple hue Over the afternoon, I refunneled between the bottle and decanter several times. At 7pm the wine was still rather muted but gave some elements of spice and graphite. The tannins are prominant and the oak seemed balanced. I look forward to trying this again in 8-10 years as their is plenty of upside at maturity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely stunning young Bordeaux. Very tight at the moment, with almost painful concentration. Deep and complex, with a long, long finish. Certainly needs a lot more time, but the balance here is impeccable. This is a winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very little of everything, nose, flavors and finish, disappointing - 7/06 Second tasting, much more fruit driven than I remember, missing some of the typical cedar, cigar box, tea leaf notes of a classic Bordeaux, could be easily mistaken for Cal Cab - I would raise the score to a 90, however, I tasted this along side the 2003, 2001, 1990 and 1989, it was the least impressive of the group.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2002 Bordeaux (Garagiste, Seattle, WA): Earthy, woody, dark fruits on the nose. On the palate, soft, plummy, and sour. The mid-palate is hollow, and the finish is merely OK. This wine was a disappointment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garagiste 2002 Bordeaux Tasting (Garagiste Warehouse, Seattle, WA): Deep purple. Marachino cherries on nose? Some graphite and cedar as well. The palate showed dark fruits initially, but then transitioned to somewhat green, vegetal tastes. Seemed to be the most tannic of the wines present. Sad to see this was the PL.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2002 Pichon Longueville Comtesse shows a good volume of aromatics with hints of tobacco and morello cherries as well as general red fruit aromas and vainilla. On the mouth it is quite round and elegant with a good level of complexity good oak integration and some interesting mineral notes as well as a good level of acidity. Good wine for keeping and my favorite of the 2002 union des grand crus tasting in Brussels
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winery: Softer than 2003, licorice mth, licorice-coffee; bit less fruit, but more complex and integrated than 03. Very viscous mth, soft, big t’s; long hot choc. fin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(drawn from cask April 28th 2003 - the bottle noted that the sample should be consumed before May 3rd 2003, but it did not seem to be flawed in any way). Purple in the glass. Vanilla spice on the nose. A bit simple in the mouth. Doesn't really seem fully ripe. At least not as ripe as other recent vintages. However, this is quite enjoyable and could turn out excellent. Take my score with a pinch of salt.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/31/2024 - Tree512 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fully mature and ready to go. Ripe plummy fruit, medium bodied with a pleasant finish. This will never be great, but it’s a complete and typical 2002.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2024 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lucky to have this again. Great wine and better than the 2005 Chateau Leoville Poyferre tasted alongside it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2024 - Lipsman wrote: 89 Points
Very tight. Double decanted. Never opened up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2023 - Sean Tay wrote: 94 Points
5th tasting notes.
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2023 - DickJ94507 wrote: 90 Points
Probably a little over due but was for my daughter’s 21st. Been holding a while. Cork was beautiful. Still quite good.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2023 - wynnewood500 Likes this wine:
Wonderful! No detailed notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2023 - Tao wrote: 92 Points
Youthful looking wine, black ruby colour! Tight on the nose, faint aroma of sweet vanilla, leathery dark fruits, a little hint of oak! The palate is tight, rich, smooth and yet, full of powdery tannins! Not fully ready yet in my book!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2023 - doug374 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Brought the score down by a point. The bottle started more closed and tight than earlier experience, tannins were there but the fruit took more time to emerge. They did come through with some patience and delivered a nicely structured profile with notes of anise, blackberry, vanilla and leather.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2023 - jdamaral@rogers.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful nose of blue fruit with a touch of mint freshness. Classic Pauillac pallet with nice dark plums and smooth tannins. So weightless and intense. Old Bordeaux is so enjoyable. I think this still has more to reveal.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2023 - djhammond Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted annually for the last 5 years, this is now firmly in its drinking window. However, it does need at least 3 hours in the decanter to come alive. Once it does, it is a delightful wine, and a bit of a surprise in a very average vintage. The nose is still a little reticent, but is aromatic with blackcurrant and tobacco, wirh floral wafts. The palate is well integrated and deep and well balanced, albeit with some residual tannin still to resolve. Similarly the finish is excellent, but further development will smooth out some of the rougher edges. 93+
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/17/2023 - MRichman wrote:
A bit mushy. Lush fruit, soft. Benefits from being slightly chilled. Drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2023 - HFLED Likes this wine: 94 Points
From a 375. No decanter, but sat in the glass about 1 hour.
Moderate garnet - fairly light colored for a Bordeaux. Touch of light brown on the rim, but no bricking.
Nose a mix of red fruit, cedar, pipe tobacco and campfire. Not super powerful, but well integrated.
Palate has a nice mix of red cherry, cassis, cedar, and leather. Flavors nicely integrated, both fruitiness and cigar box-ish elements. Still pretty tannic.
This is a very pleasant PL, and while not one of the best vintages I’ve ever had is drinking quite nicely. Strong tannins and the fact that this wine is just getting some secondary flavors makes me think this will have a long runway ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2023 - Cest_f wrote: 93 Points
Pnp, drank over an hour. Plums, dark fruit, tannins tame. Great bottle all around
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2023 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Needed a couple hours in the decanter to wake up. Rather dense ans concentrated and still youthful. Polished rather plush mouthfeel with typical
Lanade herbal edge. Tannins are well managed and mild at this point. Has a hint of coffee on the nose. In its early drinking window and still has some upside. Drink/hold
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2023 - La Sprezzatura wrote: 91 Points
informal dinner, single blind, no decant
slightly overheated, cooked fruit. nose is a bit easier to get into. mostly dark fruits of cassis, blueberries, dark plums, sweet wood, a bit tertiary aromas, tobacco, earthy notes. It‘s a bit overextracted and aciditiy is medium. Good to trink combinded with food but not my style at all.
Strange that this was so cooked as I had a poyferre 02 and gruaud larose 02 some time ago which were both much more feminine and less extracted.
91 at most
decant or let it sleep for anther 5y +
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2023 - J_H Likes this wine: 92 Points
- Tasted blind, informal notes two day after. Has a dark fruit character, cassis, dark plums, liquorice, tobacco and earth. Very expressive and extracted, with too much fruit and not enough balancing acidity. Can at its best gain in complexity with more maturity, but since the acidity is missing, the great drinking pleasure will probably be missing.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2023 - Shugs_Claret wrote: 94 Points
Definitely takes some time to open up. With a bit of coaxing, the nose and palate comes to life with red fruit, graphite and cedar. Held up will for 48 hours; tannins much softer on day 2. Early drinking window with a nice blend of primary and tertiary qualities.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2023 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cork fantastic for 21 years. Tank of a cork. Wine has no bouquet upon opening, and same with fruit, but lots of structure lurking. Deep purple color, and almost a sublime menthol taste. Fruit slowly emerging. Had no high hopes for this due to age but its holding on admirably. Impressed that fruit, now coming on decently, has hung on. This may have been the best showing for me, having had this at least five years ago.
This was the best showing of Lalande to date. It feels and drinks like a textbook example of a wine that has sufficiently aged properly. Lots of sediment etched into the side of bottle tells me the fines and compounds in the wine have reacted as desired and settled out. Drink this now. It is where it should be.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2023 - doug374 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great accompanyment for a filet. Wine matched and paired with the buttery richness of the meal and delivered an elegant and satin like experience of taste and texture. Fruits and field notes fully integrated and bound into an expression of finesse in the glass and palate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2023 - Sean Tay wrote: 93 Points
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+. It need min 3 hours for decanting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2023 - pawine Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Bought on release. The show promise is one of the better ones at the vintage. Right now it is minimal character attractiveness. No web pencil or tobacco to speak of. Boring boring wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/27/2022 - Sean Tay wrote: 94 Points
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2022 - Sean Tay wrote: 93 Points
Pronounced nose with black fruits, black currant, leather, spices, toast. Medium+ acidity and tannin is still medium+. Can feel tannin is still a little harsh given the vintage and decanting the wine minimum with 2 hours should smoothen the tannin.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2022 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
This needed six hours after decanting before it opened up. Exceptionally smooth with cherries, earthy notes, and tobacco. Well made, balanced. Delicious but not a lot of complexity. Drink or hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2022 - trumpet60201 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This seems to need more time. Nice dark color to the wine. The tannins are pretty overpowering at this point. There is lovely fruit, but it's unclear if the tannins will resolve enough to let the fruit shine. I'd give bottles at least 5 more years in the cellar, maybe 10. Not a lot of tertiary on the nose yet. There is a bit of greenness to this wine, but not too much. It's a delicious wine. No noticeable wood on the wine at this point. Fairly long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2022 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting (Fribourg): 2002 Bordeaux 20 years on tasting. Key takeaways: 1/ 31 out of 32 wines were in flawless condition which indicates either luck or less bottle variation in the vintage, 2/ On average still early days with the fruit predominantly primary, 3/ solid hedonistic quality with only few laggards, but also no blow-outs, 4/ structures built on both tannin and acidity, but common mid-palate weakness, 5/ best wines were Valandrau, Palmer and a surprise underdog Lagrange (all 95), 6/ biggest disappointment was a cooked Figeac (87). More comments and full list of wines included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Intense fruit of red cherry which in terms of ripeness really nails it at a perfect spot. Accents of sweet spice, white pepper and mineral notes of iodine. Palate is well-balanced with nicely integrated tannin, a long finish and one of the strongest mid-palates in this vintage horizontal.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2022 - CGWIND Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely aged Bordeaux Great with steak. Nice firm tannins still. Some red fruit. Earthy nose Restrained elegance. Very lovely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2022 - levinml wrote: 91 Points
Gives Bordeaux a bad name. Perfectly good, but $70 15 years ago is way too much. Not worth it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2022 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
Medium-bodied, fully developed with an austere edge to the crunchy, leafy, spicy, minty red fruits and forest leaf characteristics, you can enjoy this classic-leaning, old-school-styled wine now and over the next decade with ease.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2022 - doug374 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A good accompaniment to a salmon, spinach and roast potatoe dinner. A bit restrained with the fruit but a solid core of flavor that did not get tired over the evening. Flavors were enjoyable and included for us blackberries, cherries, light leather and granite,
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2022 - rnyrny79 wrote: 91 Points
Had expected more, was too plain for Comtesse’s usual High level.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/24/2022 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 92 Points
I had this wine before and was disappointed but this bottle was magnificent. Tasted blind alongside four other Bordeaux blends and this was the best. Tertiary and delightful aromas of mushroom, earth, forest floor and damp leaf is what hits the nostrils first and buried underneath is the black fruit. The palate has blackberry, blackcurrant, cedar spice and soft medium body with a clean cut acidity. Fully mature.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2022 - Alfalfa323 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened 45 minutes prior to drinking but not decanted. Drinking near perfectly now, but should have 5+ years to go. Very little sediment. Still little to no browning at the edges. Aromas of elderberry preserves and soft leather. Medium bodied with extended finish. Elegant wine, perfectly balanced. May be the best from an unspectacular vintage.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
1/7/2022 - djhammond Likes this wine: 92 Points
A good wine from a very average vintage, it has further evolved in the last year. It does need a few hours in the decanter, but I think it has hit its drinking window and found its identity. The palate is aromatic with blackcurrant and tobacco leaf with floral hints and is excellent. The palate is more austere than you would associate with a Lalande, but well balanced. Likewise the finish is uncharacteristically robust but with good lenghth and depth. There is potential upside as the tannin further sweetens but it is ready to drink now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2022 - dannyg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lighter than its 2000 wine, but still a classic Bordeaux blend. I did not crack this early. Just removed the cork and poured. It was drinking with good intensity, a little hold in the middle but reasonable length.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2022 - BradA Likes this wine: 91 Points
Gracious, smooth and very pleasant. A classic claret one would be thrilled to have on a regular basis. Fully resolved, no sharp edges and bite; the finish was soft and sweet. Drink now to 2025.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2021 - thebonnydooner wrote: 93 Points
Note upon opening - immediately singing and ready for business. Colour is medium plum garnet, not showing much browning on the rim. Nose is quite intense, fragrant with currant and red plum fruit, notes of orange peel, dried herbs, interesting. Palate is medium bodied, crisp with good acidity, fine dry tannins and a nice mid palate sweetness. Dry, with red and blackcurrant fruit, some red plum, long savoury finish. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2021 - BordeauxNut Likes this wine: 93 Points
There’s some bias to this note as I love PLL (and Togni, and top Loire Cab Francs). Color is dark for a 19 year old Bordeaux (like so many of the non-‘03 early 2000s BDX). Some garnet forming at the edge. No murkiness as noted in another report below (that’s a sign of a damaged bottle). To me this has the classic PLL profile on the nose — at first some Rhubarb that faded quickly to currant bush, cedar, some green coffee and plummy fruit in the background. Tannins are very fine at this point. Kind of direct but not angular. Some dilution — but, good flavors and a moderately persistent finish. You will not confuse this with the 1982, 1986, 1989, 1996, 2000, or 2001 (which is a major sleeper IMO) — but, it’s a fine bottle of mature Bordeaux. No rush to drink this, IMO. Will be fine and maybe better in 5 years. 1h decant / stored 55 since release.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/19/2021 - RYANDOC wrote: 90 Points
2002 was not a vintage to brag about. The wine is disjoint. Could not integrate, and very murky color. I got sour salted plum for some reason. I think the blend is a little off.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2021 - Philip67 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Strange and disjointed palate, there is something wrong with this wine. Notes of mud and char with a bitter finish. I poured it away.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (5)
11/4/2021 - doug374 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted only 30 mins; color was very solid to the rim. Pleasing scent of blackberry, apple, forest and moss. Flavors followed through very true to the nose with a good core of acidity. Matched the grilled lamb nicely, look forward to more of this one.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2021 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite a deep ruby colour with some edge fading. Full-bodied, with a firm tannin bite, and very tight upon opening. A one-hour decant brought about luscious blackberry and cassis, and fresh mint as ewell as some dried grass, then coffee and chocolate. Long finish, and fairly complex
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2021 - Enfantterrible wrote: 91 Points
3 years after my last note on this wine. Still going strong for what’s considered a weak vintage. Decanted briefly before drinking. Very little bricking. Rich red and dark fruit, with some cigar smoke and sandalwood on the edge. Quite fine
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2021 - pjaines Likes this wine:
A wine to be appreciated in calm surroundings rather than a rauccous dinner party; it is all about nuance and lightness of touch; certainly open for business now as compared to 3 years ago; this has a classic Pauillac nose but after 1 hour the leafy cabernet elements really come through giving this a poise and freshness that elevate it into something more refined. Beautiful. Will keep many more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/23/2021 - amateur62 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Private dinner (Nidau): Decanted an hour before dinner. Very classical, tertiary notes with red and black berries, good freshness, medium+ bodied, long finish. Great achievement for the 2002 vintage. In a good shape now but there is no hurry, it has a good structure for further development and 10+ years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2021 - Cailles wrote: 85 Points
24 Vintages of Pichon Lalande: All wines tasted blind. A few general observations: 1) Most wines showed the typical Pichon Lalande elegance. This is certainly one of the more delicate and elegant Paulliacs. 2) The relatively high Merlot content (often 20-30%) showed in many wines with fine, fresh rhubarb, rosehip and floral aromas I wouldn’t necessarily associate with a Medoc - all adding to the sensuous quality of the wines. 3) A few vintages showed the very sexy burnt sugar/coffee notes you associate with the 1982 Lalande or a Mouton or a Cheval Blanc - unfortunately, not to an extent and with an intensity to truly excite. 4) Following the legendary 1982 and until the most recent vintages (starting with 2014 but especially with 2016) there are three decades of pleasant Pichon Lalandes but hardly any vintage has the depth and length of truly great wines. The best wine tonight was the 2009 (rated 95+ points) with many more in the 92-94 point category.
TN: This bottle didn’t perform. On the nose it was quite porty and on the palate you find the same notes and it’s heavy. It was not the best period of Pichon Comtesse and 2002 was not the best vintage but my guess is that this bottle wasn’t correct either. Too old and weird for its age.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2021 - Old Claret Likes this wine: 93 Points
Surprisingly accessible and delicious
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2021 - Radboy wrote: 93 Points
Delicious wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2021 - djhammond Likes this wine: 93 Points
Although one of the best performers in a a very average year, it is not one of the stellar vintages from the estate. It is drinking very well already but benefits from a few hours in the decanter. The nose is all about blackcurrant and tobacco with fresh red berry fruits and floral hints. The palate is austere and a throwback in style with strong tannin which is balanced but dominant over the fruit. Likewise the finish is robust but lengthy and well balanced. It will be interesting if further aging will improve the wine as I do feel that there is still some greenness on the palate and finish. 93+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2021 - Joealex Likes this wine: 93 Points
Old school style, even austere.
Nose of black currant, earth, pencil shavings and tar with red fruits core ( raspberries & strawberries).
Very nice concentration but monolithic profile and as said above old schooled style, This is tannic and a bit harsh. Totally different compare to modern Bordeaux or Napa cabernets.
On the second day got a bit softer. Anyway very interesting experience and wine showed class and pedigree.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2021 - Mtpisgah wrote:
Ok, but not great. Beat by a 2014 Barolo.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2021 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pretty closed upon opening, but opened up after an hour or so. Lovely nuanced nose of leafy tobacco with a distinct elegant herbaceous character. Black fruits and currants on the palate, smokey, with some tertiary notes. Finish is strong, however here some angular tannins show up, implying it’s still on the upswing. Doesn’t have the polish and power of the more vaulted vintages—but shows nice typicity of the estate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2021 - herbaceous Likes this wine: 93 Points
Much softer than expected. Tobacco. Great with a lamb shank.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2021 - msauer Likes this wine: 89 Points
enttäuschend. Nase:rauchig, etwas Zimt
grün, unreif. Fleisch und Volumen fehlen
danach dto 1990 sehr viel harmonischer, App-typisch , aber nicht „groß“
79er z Abschluss:großartig, erfreuliche Überraschung
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2021 - Ibetian wrote: 95 Points
First bottle of a case purchased EP. short decant. Wonderful, complex nose that evolved over time, starting with some secondary characteristics especially mushrooms that faded a bit and pure fruit emerged. Silky smooth palate, red and black cherries, red plums. Lingering finish.
A terrific bottle of Bordeaux, above expectations for a less- heralded year, drinking beautifully right now.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/29/2021 - JWong79 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still intense, full of complexity. Firm body & structure. Mineral with a hint of rum raisin.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2021 - drmarclevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely bottle of Bordeaux! Classic Pauillac aromas of cedar, cassis, and tobacco. Dark cherry, mushroom/earth, and some green asparagus-like notes in the mouth. Medium weight and medium finish. Tannins remain evident and serve to lift and brighten the dark, woodsy fruit. Just a wonderful effort for the vintage. Very fine and at peak.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2020 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid Lalande, but definitely showing more green herbaceousness than the more refined vintages. Quite aromatic, tobacco and herbal notes. Palate is round, probably from the strong merlot component, with dark fruit notes and savory complexity. Finish turns slightly bitter, fine tannins and medium weight. Still seems some time to integrate. A solid drinkable vintage—but doesn’t have the elegance and nuance of the “greater” vintages. Good concentration for the vintage, however.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/19/2020 - AlanM68 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very possibly in peak shape right now. This has everything - beautiful nose that hints at more, rounded, mouth filling taste and ridiculous length. It’s been some time since I’ve tried this wine, and I only have a couple of the original case left. Totally worth trying now and over the next year if you have some. But I don’t think it’s going to get any better than this - that said, the next two will be kept for when it’s at least 20 years old.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/26/2020 - E1855 wrote: 91 Points
Bought in future, perfectly stored in OWC. First bottle of the case I opened and I am not too sure what to think about it. On the one hand, it’s fresh, lively, does not show any signs of ageing. On the other hand, it’s flawless, pure but completely one dimension, no depth. So I asked myself what I would think if I did not know what it was and if I could even vaguely identify part of its identity. I would most likely say merlot-based, rather young, good terroir and would conclude 2014/2015/2016 St. Emilion or neighbouring villages. Good producer from unexceptional terroir. That’s what I thought and I am curious if this wine will ever evolve or plateau for 5-10 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2020 - GWEdwards Likes this wine: 93 Points
In a very nice drinking window with even the slightest decant, mellowed as the evening progressed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2020 - streethawk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Starting to lighten at the edges. Opens up with a bouquet of cigar box, underbrush, cassis, tobacco, hints of black cherry. Palate follows with more fruit evident. Still has considerable structure, with fine tannins on the finish and bright acidity. This wine is still very much alive, but I think it is a great time to pop a cork. Classic Pauillac.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2020 - MM29 wrote: 94 Points
Ein bisschen wenig Kraft und nicht minutenlanger Abgang, aber perfekt gereift und samtzart, würde ich in den nächsten Jahren trinken, so fein jetzt
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2020 - MaxSiegel Likes this wine: 92 Points
So strong for '02 Bordeaux. Very accessible but still plenty of life.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2020 - kstoddard Likes this wine: 91 Points
From double magnum
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2020 - Mr T wrote:
This is a fantastic wine from less than heralded vintage. Great purity, dark fruit still going strong and tannin pretty much resolved. I don’t get any tertiary characteristics and secondary reasonably expressed, but this wine has many years ahead. Wish I hadn’t sold the other bottles.
93
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2020 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good example of left bank Bordeaux.
IMHO this is about the peak time for it, but it should hold up and develop for several more years if you prefer the more aged style.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2020 - MRichman wrote:
Great pure fruit, lovely feminine wine. Good dried herbs, sharp acid, dark cherry. Bright with minerals. Must have petite verdot or cab franc, has that green herbal element. Lovely, drinking well. Should hold on for quite a while. Always a complex and broad wine, this vintage is very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2020 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
Last tasted nearly 2 years ago, this is firmly in its drinking window. The appearance is deceptively youthful, but it is deep and aromatic displaying blackcurrant and plum with wafts of violet and vanilla. On the palate the tannin reminds you that it is a Paulliac, but everything is in harmony. The finish is decent but a little on the shorter side. It remains to be seen if further aging will bring more complexity to the wine with more secondary and tertiary notes coming to the fore. There is no doubt that this was one of the stars of an off year, and hopefully will continue to develop and stay there for at least the next decade.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2020 - J o e wrote: 94 Points
13% ABV. Still dark in color, the 2002 Pichon Lalande is a textbook Pauillac all the way. Gorgeous aromas of cassis, pipe tobacco, plum, mint and violets get progressively stronger with air. In the mouth, there is medium body, blackberries, milk chocolate, earth and minerals, along with ample refreshing acidity. There is still a little bit of tannin on the long finish, but it provides a gentle, almost caressing grip and is not at all obtrusive. Stylistically, this classic Pichon reminds me of the 1996, although the 2002 is slightly less generous than that stellar vintage...at least at the moment. Now comfortably in its early drinking window, but will undoubtedly last for at least another 10-15 years. Flat-out terrific! 94.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/26/2020 - Wineson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delightful
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/1/2020 - streethawk wrote: 89 Points
Starting to show some rim evolution. Cassis, soy, some underbrush on the nose. Medium bodied and soft on the palate. Finish short but pleasing nonetheless. Seems to be drinking at its peak, and doesn’t seem to have the stuffing to last too much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2020 - Lipsman Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking better than ever. Quite supple with a rich flavor profile of dark fruits and cherry. Balanced, open knit, showing poise and elegance. Start drinking now. Opens up in the glass, no need to decant.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2020 - Sanlucar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tannic and classically structured, it’s like black currant liqueur with a handful of graphite. Beautiful saturated purple color and a bouquet of melted licorice, lavender, barbecue smoke and figs. A real joy to drink right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2019 - pjaines wrote:
Slowly slowly slowly this is creeping out of a hard-as-nails shut-down phase - this time it flickers and shines and does not strip off your teeth enamel - now it is kinder and rounder. However, dont go expecting any fruit bomb here - this is very much at the Cabernet-Franc end of the palate spectrum. Classic Paulliac notes dialled back to 1. Very much anti-Spinal-Tap.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2019 - blanquito wrote: 92 Points
Fresh, milky profile, dark and rounded. Must have a hefty dose of merlot. Nice depth for an 02, seamless and classy, lovely balance. Early maturity here, probably better in 5-10, but nice with a steak today.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2019 - BradA wrote: 85 Points
A flat tire.... this wine is a real disappointment. I realize the vintage is a miss... but I would expect more from a great estate. Flat, insipid and lacking much character or substance. A wine to drink with a casual mid week meal, not for a finer event.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2019 - bacchus of knockholt wrote: 88 Points
Tasted blind. Dark ruby with a youthful look. The nose was muted, a hint of poo initially which wasn't good and then the plum and blackberry fruit emerged but it took some coaxing. To taste it had the plum and blackberry, oak spice, tannins and bright acidity. My summary was it was quite simple! When it was revealed what it was, I, and everyone else were a little stunned! This wine didn't resemble any of the tasting notes of other CTer's and I actually seemed youthful and primary. Maybe a dumb phase but I've score it on what I tasted.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2019 - styrofoamboots wrote: 89 Points
Perhaps it was a bad bottle, but our bottle was disappointing. While not flawed or off and still containing many of the typical Bordeaux notes you'd expect (plum, blackcurrant, cedar, forest floor, leather), it simply was very muted compared to other '02 Pauillac Bordeaux we compared it against (in a blind tasting vs. '02 Lafite, Pichon Baron Comtesse, Duhart-Milon and Lynch-Bages), making me think this is possibly over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2019 - MM29 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Über 2 Tage getrunken, an beiden gleich gut. Ist halt nicht der überragende Jahrgang. Nicht ganz so fein wie der gleichzeitig geöffnete Sassicaia 2004. Aber he, der hat damals keine 60 Franken gekostet und das ist er allemal wert.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2019 - cliftonng wrote:
Tasting note courtesy of JONATHANP's bottle-thanks mate! My impressions were quite similar.
The nose was muted, showing elegance and slight cedar. The palate was well balanced without being overly lush or fruity and there some tannins on the finish. This is in the drinking window and should improve further.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2019 - JonathanP wrote: 92 Points
Drunk over 2 days. Initially quite subdued and very correct, but unfolded over time to show some lovely black fruit, graphite, leather, and earth. Nice balance on the palate which tends towards lean than abundant. Nice integrated acidity with tannins that are resolving and slightly dusty. In its drinking window but should hold for some time if you prefer those tertiary notes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 89 Points
Dark ruby. Decanted for 1h but it did not help much to balance the mix. The wine remained on the lean and tannic side the whole dinner. Shows that the cold vintage of 2002 cannot hide. There are better Pichon Lalande.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2019 - Mtpisgah Likes this wine:
Decanted for 30-45 minutes, needed three hours. Drinking well but is a little big right now. More fruit that leather, leaves, and dust which is what I am looking for in this wine. Very enjoyable though but need to keep my hands of the other for a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2019 - Radboy wrote: 91 Points
Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2019 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic nose. Tannins are now beautifully integrated making this very velvety. Despite my worries, the fruit is holding up well. Not the greatest vintage but a very enjoyable wine nonetheless and drinking well now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Day of the Goat: A Pichon Lalande Fractured Vertical (Leo & Cheryl's Place, Mpls, MN): Very dark red/purple. This had been open for about 12 hours of slow O. Drank a glass in a flight with the '04 and '11. Very good, mint and herbal notes on the nose with dark fruit and wood. The palate is full bodied and dense for the vintage, black fruits, dark cherry, plum, earth, pencil, nice texture. Really good.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2019 - Gourmet Christian Likes this wine: 90 Points
We opend a bottle for our traditional easter lunch paired with lamb filet , decanted for 1 hour, right after opening quite dry, greenish, some hints of berries, after 1 hour better, well integeated tanins, still berries black current, some earth, pencil, it did not delop further over the next 4 hours, I was a bit disappointed, given the heritage of the chateau, I drank a 1966 2 years ago which was ample better. With food still a good wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/20/2019 - Nanda wrote: 90 Points
Tasted along side the '06. This was a more nuanced and ready PLL vs. the 06. A lighter vintage for sure, but no shortage of classic PLL character with ample bell pepper and cigar complementing the red fruits. Smooth, with well integrated tannins. In a nice zone and not going to get any better, but should hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2019 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pretty much what JoeAlex said recently on CT....I might add the fruit is a bit red and tart starting out after opening. It darkens a bit with 2 hours of air and loses most if not all of its tart character. It's a nice well made wine, just not a knockout.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2019 - Joealex Likes this wine: 93 Points
In smell black currant and classic for PL hallmarks of strawberry and raspberry notes ( from merlot grapes) .
Fantastic concentration, medium body, very elegant or even austere style of wine typical for Pauillac, completly different compare to Napa cabernets. Long dry aftertaste. Fruits are slightly fading so it won't be better. There is no need to wait more. Drink now.
I recomend long decanting as last sip ( on second day) tasted the best!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
1/26/2019 - drmarclevine wrote: 91 Points
Short decant and opened after about 20 minutes. Dark black cherry, pencil lead, and roasted green aromas. Fell slightly short in the mouth. Hit the right Pauillac notes but was just a bit muted. Didn't really pop. Red cherry and some charcoal with a very long tannic finish. Will hold in this place for a while but don't look for much improvement. Fine pairing with beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2019 - wynnewood500 Likes this wine:
Amazing! Youthful fruit but tannins have matured and integrated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2019 - Holdenculfield wrote: 89 Points
It ain’t Thanksgiving. There is no stuffing here. From a magnum last of a triplet. Just ok. I bought this en primeur so it was inexpensive. To quote a friend. If this were a date, hmmm. She’d be a bit of a prude and a tad pedantic. You would be sitting across the table thinking. There has to be more to this vapid comtesse. But in the end there isn’t. So you go across the street and meet a firm Margaux.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2018 - WinthropT96 wrote: 91 Points
Not old but getting tired. Nose is soft fruit, no funk. Light body and a bit thin. Nice red fruit and long finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2018 - Enfantterrible wrote: 92 Points
PnP, consumed over 1.5 hours. Just a few minutes in the glass to blow off the 16 year funk. This is really lovely. Big nose of dark fruit. Still plenty of power in the mouth. Will check development in 2020 for remaining bottles
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2018 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last tasted 21 months ago where I posted a tasting note with a score of 85 points. There must be bottle variation or age treated it well because this time around it was drinking much better than before. Decanted for 1 hour.
Black currant, anise, loamy soil, tobacco, leather, pencil shavings, green herb with a touch of compost. Dusty tannin that is almost fully resolved. It does still have a touch of what I described as plastic aftertaste, but I believe it is an expression of the Petit Verdot showing its herbal character.
Drink now as this is not the best vintage of PLC. It is as good as it is going to get.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/9/2018 - Enfantterrible wrote: 90 Points
Decanted this one far too long. The fruit had disappeared and the secondary characteristics weren’t as interesting. Still fine with some nice sous bois elements, but I preferred the fresher bottle
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
10/28/2018 - Enfantterrible wrote: 92 Points
First bottle of a “lost” 6 pack purchased on release for $45. Drinking beautifully now. Very full in the nose and mouth, great balance of berry fruits and leather notes. Lightly decanted, started with strong blueberry notes, and gained complexity over 1.5 hours. Still well structured. May not improve much but should stay at this level for a while, based on this bottle
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/2/2018 - Alvarovazquez Likes this wine: 92 Points
At a restaurant. Decanted for an hour. Opened much later, at the end of dinner. Needed a lot more air. A very good Pichon Longueville considering the vintage. Ready to drink now and for the next 5 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2018 - Lipsman wrote: 92 Points
A nice bottle of wine, certainly well made and ready to drink. There is a watery hole in the middle of the palate, but the fruit mostly covers it up. Drink now. A fine wine in an off vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2018 - Lipsman wrote: flawed
Corked.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
8/13/2018 - isdblm@lsu.edu Likes this wine: 92 Points
Seems to have lost a little from 10 years ago
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2018 - Donjcorleone Likes this wine: 92 Points
2 hour decant. This opens up with a wonderfully aromatic nose of green bell pepper, fennel leaf and blackberry which follows through on the juicy, medium bodied palate with good acidity giving way to a pleasant lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable and kicking myself for not having bought more.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ready to drink, but in the early stages of maturity with evolvement ahead of it. The nose is deep with aromas of plum, cherry, blackcurrent, and liquorice with a background hint of vanilla. On the palate the wine is still showing its youth but it is starting to show its long term potential with an excellent depth and a lengthy finish. It is probably not going to compete with the 82, 86, and 96, but it certainly will be one the shining lights of the last 35 years from the estate. A very enjoyable wine, and one that should continue to develop over the next 5 years and stay there for the next couple of decades.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2018 - Nekodab wrote: 96 Points
Smooth as could be
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/16/2018 - englishman's claret wrote: 92 Points
Still quite young and served after only a splash decant, this shows a rich but elegant cassis, cedary, white flower bouquet with nutty top-notes. No green on this and not at all lean with classic Pichon Comtesse poise. Medium-bodied, this really glides across the palate. Its best years are ahead and, even if it won't hit the highs of the 82 or 96, this easily trumps the 01, 03, and probably 04. 92+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2018 - Sen4469 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice concentration. Good mature wine with some life ahead. Nicely surprised. Enjoyed it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2018 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
This is ready to go but should drink well for the next couple of years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2018 - Tree512 wrote: 89 Points
Already ruby and mature in appearance. Meaty nose of soy and spice. Palate is lean with strong tannins starting to resolve. Assertive for a 2002, classic. Not for folks who like lots of fruit.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2018 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
From a 375. Deep ruby, clear, only hints of bricking but overall youthful color; moderately aromatic, blackberry, but more strongly notable for some bell pepper, slight green, balanced and elegant nose; palate is full bodied, well integrated primary black fruit, tannins are present and youthful but approachable, medium-plus acidity; medium finish. Classic bordeaux, notable elegance and balance that I expect from Pichon Comtesse, not a blockbuster given the slight lack of robust fruit in the midpalate and at the end of the finish, but it has enough complexity and depth in the nose and palate to hold its own. Youthful, enjoyable, promising, but falls short of the best vintages. 90-91+
2.5 hours air: Honestly hasn't changed too much. Elegant, balanced, tannins still youthful but smooth, will likely improve for 5-10+ years. 91+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2018 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful classic Bordeaux nose. Still very youthful on the palate. My only concern here is that it is still somewhat green and the tannins remain - just not sure the fruit is going to last long enough to make this a world class wine. Enjoyable nonetheless - let’s see where it goes over the coming years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2018 - Wineson Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needed more time to breathe since it was better at end than just after opening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Some Fine Older Bordeaux and Cabs (Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN): This bottle had been splash double decanted and was immediately recorked early in the day. This came off very young, need more air tonight, firm dusty tannins dominate, dark fruits and a rather tight palate. I still preferred it to the more herbal and green edged '01 though. 90+ to 91pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2018 - chablis28 wrote: 89 Points
Drinking very youthfully tight in the context of a lineup with several fully mature btls from the mid 80s to the mid 90s. Not sure this will ever be a rockstar but its pretty early to know definitively. So unfair to drink young BDX along side wines that are more fully realized. Next time we'll set the date range at 00 and back. My companion 01 was also very youthful in this lineup.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/26/2018 - Lipsman wrote: 91 Points
Needs a quick, splashy decant. Tight as a drum at first, but opens up showing cherries, biting tannins, and a medicinal minerality that indicates this needs a few more years in the cellar. The medium bodied fruit has good length on the finish. Drink now or cellar to 2023.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2018 - MikeATL Likes this wine: 89 Points
Football Saturday: Very nice red currant and a little dust, a little bell pepper, very classic and drinkable Bordeaux.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2017 - Frank Schneider wrote: 91 Points
This is not prince charming. You get something to chew . Bit rustic . After 5 h of decanting it gets more civilized. I m afraid that with time the little fruit will dry out. I don t see this promising. Nevertheless a good glass of classic claret. Needs food.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2017 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
Ch. Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Vertical Tasting with Nicolas Glumineau (Taberna del Alabardero): I didn't care for this wine on release, but I have found this vintage very enjoyable lately in general and surprising to the upside, so was curious to see what's become of this one. Not quite ready for primetime, though. The nose is mostly cedary with a sweet fruity backdrop - still quite youthful. On the palate, however, it feels kind of bony and lacking flesh, pretty much in line with the early vintage reputation as perhaps excessively structured. A very spinal and crunchy mouthfeel. In every lineup there's always something that just seems to get lost in the mix. Today, that's this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2017 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
Pichon Lalande dinner with Nicolas Glumineau (Taberna del Alabardero, Washington D.C.): Expressive nose displaying ripe blue and black fruit, cassis, dry blueberry, black cherry, licorice, a hint of lead pencil and bell pepper, and strong earthy mineral. Impressive concentration, sweet slightly dry black fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity, a hint of bitterness in the middle and a medium to long black fruit and bell pepper driven finish. Noticeable tannins at the end. Just like the other 02 top left bank wines, it displays impressive concentration and generous fruit but feels a bit “chunky”. Still very youthful and will improve for another decade or two, i.e. if you prefer the tertiary notes.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/1/2017 - MLR Likes this wine:
Wonderful example of Bordeaux style with dark fruit and an earthiness in the nose and mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2017 - djhammond Likes this wine: 94 Points
An RP recommendation in its early days and one which I think has fully lived up to its promise. I am a little confused as to some of the lukewarm reviews of late. This is an excellent wine with a deep perfumed nose of cherry, blackcurrent, and plum with subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate it will benefit from more time in the bottle, but it still exhibits good depth balanced with robust resolved tannin and completes with a good finish. A shorter decant is preferable. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2017 - Radboy wrote: 90 Points
Drinking well, it lacks the beautiful fruit Pichon is known for. A good second bottle. Soft fruit with tannins still present but this lacks a strong mid-palate that would have made this great.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2017 - dchain wrote: 90 Points
Ruby. Tangy and plumy. Fresh. Less Pichon spice and perfume than usual. Nice fresh drinking and a balanced and good interpretation of the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2017 - levinml wrote: 90 Points
Hope I didn't pay too much for this. Perfectly fine, but nothing special here. Mediocre vintage, so shouldn't expect much, and that's what I got. Lots of tannin, some fruit somewhere, but nothing memorable over a couple nights.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2017 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Hard for me to write this review because my Francophile moment with wine occurred with a bottle of 1995 Pichon Lalande and the love affair has continued with the 1982 & 1996 vintages. However, this did not live up to my expectations. A decent nose, but reticent and not throwing classic Pauillac aromas except for black licorice, cedar, but still very primary. The tannin is resolved, fine, and silky smooth. However, there was an off putting plastic like after taste that I do not like. I far prefer the 2001 to the 2002 vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/10/2017 - Plabella Likes this wine: 94 Points
great wine from a so so vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2017 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
A La Cremaillere - I'm pleased to own this. A very complete wine despite the vintage. Won't make ancient bones but there's enough there to improve with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2016 - JonathanP wrote: 92 Points
Slow ox'ed for 3-4 hours. Sweet fruit on the nose With cassis and cherry with some oak-derived cedar notes and some tertiary forest floor. Medium bodied on the palate, which is a little more savoury than the nose suggests. Despite not being a large scaled wine, There is great intensity and presence for the vintage. Nothing forced at all and the balance is excellent. Finish has dusty tannins. Has entered its drinking window but will probably continue to improve over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2016 - Sean Tay wrote:
Still youthful with notes of cassis, black fruits, black cherry. Medium+ acidity and tannin. Medium+ body and long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2016 - favorito Likes this wine: 93 Points
Unbelievable for this year 2002. Opened and decanted three ours before drinking. Perfect Pauillac, mature but not over the peak.
Unfortunately it was my last of three bottles....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/13/2016 - Frank Schneider wrote: 92 Points
Nose of wood and tar . Dark nose !!!!! After 5 h of decanting you get a medium bodied bordeaux. You feel the not so great vintage. But a very lovely mouthfeel of red fruits on the forestfloor. Glad i have more . Has a few years left and won t ever become a big boy ! But i like it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2016 - Radboy wrote: 93 Points
Opened up nicely with a three hour decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2016 - Louvin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Couple hour decant, while a very nice typical blend from PLL, this lacked the intensity of fruit that better vintages have. Otherwise ready to drink or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2016 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic Bordeaux nose. Whilst the fruit is beginning to fade, it's beautifully balanced with a nice acidity and a lovely long finish. Really enjoyable and plenty of life ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2016 - Wineson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very smooth and approachable. Way too good for a weeknight!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2016 - J o e wrote: 93 Points
Deep red. The 2002 Pichon Lalande opens up with aromas of cassis, lead pencil, plums and hints of leather. Medium-bodied and still rather primary in the mouth, with a melange of dark fruits, chocolate and minerals leading the way to a fairly long finish with a still-substantial amount of very fine late-arriving tannin. This is quite good now, and is certainly approachable with air. That said, I think it would benefit from a few more years in the cellar, which should bring out additional nuances and further soften the tannins. Seems like a mini-1996 to me, though I think it is unlikely to reach the lofty heights of that magnificent wine. Still, a very enjoyable drink. 93.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2016 - Wineson Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2016 - pmarlo Likes this wine: 92 Points
The slowest developing wine I have ever had. First night I was ready to write it off. No fruit at all. But 2-3 days later it developed into what I would term a pretty wine. Nothing overwhelming, just nice and almost pinot-like. Somehow very pure in flavor. Cork also held up great. Cannot drink this first night unless you want to mark how it evolves.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2016 - Wineson Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for about an hour before drinking. Really enjoyable. Enough character to keep you interested. Some dry tannins on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2016 - Radboy wrote: 91 Points
Drinking well and seemed ready to go tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2016 - LFCHALA wrote: 91 Points
Tasty wine that can be drunk now. However, one should not expect too much complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2015 - thebonnydooner wrote: 92 Points
The Wine Night at Bellevue Wine Storage Part 2: Very good wine, came up a little short against a 2002 Cos and a 2000 Leoville Barton but delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2015 - PC73 wrote: 90 Points
Just about open for business but I really wouldn't open for another 5 years. Very primary.
Bit farmyard in opening, but this blew off with time. Got brambles and blackcurrent on the palate over time.
Soft and silly tannins, but a bit too much wood for my taste.
Decent given the vintage is regarded as poor.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2015 - tylerandmansi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Garnet coloured. smell is amazing right upon opening. rich caramel, dried fruit, some tobacco and menthol. the body is medium. acidity is high, a much fresher style than is expected. medium bodied, tannins aren't too harsh. finish is of green peppers. I expect it will keep well for another 5+ years and has more potential!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2015 - Rani Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tasted blind. At first, stench of old socks. Dark and minty, with a core of black fruit and some bitterness. Somewhat disappointing and one dimensional.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2015 - LJD Likes this wine: 89 Points
Slightly more drinkable the the '00 we had the same night, but just barely. Still needs lots of time and patience to get to the point where it's elegant and enjoyable. Give it at least 10 more years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2015 - d'Artagnan wrote:
Une bouteille beaucoup plus fermée que la précédente. C'est bien fait mais il aurait fallu attendre celle-ci quelques années. Que faire avec la dernière?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/31/2015 - d'Artagnan wrote: 93 Points
Nez tres séduisant de cèdre, de mûres, mine de crayon, fumée.
La bouche montre la finesse d'un Margaux (oui le Château!). C'est parfaitement équilibré, avec une texture en bouche magnifique, qui laisse une impression de noblesse, une véritable caresse au palais. Attention, ce n'est pas pour autant une mauviette, le bois a laissé sa marque assouplissante sur le vin, mais sans en imprégner les arômes. La finale est subtile et minérale, seule sa longueur relativement modeste sépare le vin des grands millésimes du domaine. Un vrai vin de repas, aussi facile à boire que délicieux. 93 pts
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2015 - hkm520240 wrote: 94 Points
Tasted blind. Appearance of Dark Ruby with vibrant hues. Sweet ripe fruits on the nose but subtle and still youthful, along with dark cherry, peppery spice, hints of oak and menthol.
Still pretty primary on palate with blackcurrant, dark cherry and tobacco. Supple mouth feel, solid midpalate but posses elegant and finesse. Fine soft chewy tannins and persistent spicy finish. Drinking very well, rich and robust.
Another excellent '02 left bank that transcend the cooler vintage and over delivered. From a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2015 - MFenton wrote: 90 Points
Deep purple, complex dark fruit and secondary aromas, medium weight and mouthfeel. Delicious to over next five years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2015 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Dark cherries, dark forest fruits, tobacco and luxurious oak in the bouquet. On the palate a good concentration (definitely for the vintage), plums, dark forest fruits, some chocolate, good acidity and slightly sticky and a bit drying tannin. Early maturity now. Imho the wine might improve a bit over the next 3 - 4 years of aging. 90+ for tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2015 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Ok, so do not open this for 10 years, or give it a 24 hour slow-ox. The first night it was totally unyielding. Tonight, after 24 hours of air it showed more fruit, better balance and significant promise for the future.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2015 - Pknut wrote:
Had a pour from Aaron and David's table, but couldn't really be too contemplative about this wine, as I was the host of a raging party. Nice wine, reflective of the vintage. I put this behind the '02 Lynch Bages which seemed to show more character. David thought this was an off bottle. My daughter's birth year wine, from Uncle Aaron's cellar, enjoyed at her Bat Mitzvah.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2015 - Jpg1111 Likes this wine: 90 Points
strong acid
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/18/2015 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well but still not at its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/3/2015 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took a couple hours to come around on the palate but seemed much more open on the nose in much shorter term. Leather, pencil shavings, blackberries and black currant but with underlying red fruits. Smooth but tannins were still quite firm. Another few years of aging will be good for this wine. The most disappointing thing was the cork - it was the worst crumbler I've ever experienced in such a relatively young wine. Not soaked; it just disintegrated. My first bottle so I hope others are not the same.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2015 - FromBelgium Likes this wine: 94 Points
I oponed it 2 hours before tasting. Amazing! Silky!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2014 - Jpg1111 wrote: 87 Points
Not bad
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2014 - ProfByron wrote: 87 Points
Very very austere. Finely crafted, sophisticated, but the fruit core is now gone. Also no greenness, I suspect they tried too hard to overcome this. There are better 2002 Medocs that embraced the vintage's slightly green but intense Cabernet Sauvignon.
I hold out no hope that this will blossom in future years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
11/12/2014 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 90 Points
Wednesday night at La Barca with Davyd. Aired for about an hour in decanter before drinking. Tasted blind.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with garnet rim. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead, and inky newspaper with more air. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol, fine medium tannins, full body. Medium flavour intensity, with flavours of blackberries, blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead. Long finish.
Good quality. I guessed a nice 10 year old Left Bank Bordeaux. Could still develop a bit of tertiary notes over the next 5 years, but probably won't improve much beyond that.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2014 - joshabramson wrote: 91 Points
Thin. Was hoping for something more. Still has some fairly firm tannins on the finish, but very little fruit coming through. It's a fine wine but not for me.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2014 - grossie wrote: 92 Points
Found 4 of these in the cellar, never logged them in. This is the first bottle. It's quite dark and opaque. The first night this was tight as hell. the tannin singed my tongue, hard and green. Night 3 now (48 hours later) and it has softened up quite a bit with a very strong core of fruit. The nose is intoxicating and sweet. This has become very enjoyable, much to my surprise considering how hard it was upon first opening. Hopefully I will remember to let these lie for at least 5 more years, I think they'll come around. 92 points is my rating based on night #3.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2014 - pjaines wrote:
Not for those who are lovers of fruit bombs - this wears the vintage on its sleeve and is more about nuance than slaps across the face. Herbal and taut at first but an hour later some minerals and black fruits start to come through. This will never be a wine to please all people - I rather like its austere character but not sure it will ever truly come round to greatness.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/27/2014 - thomasjjackson Likes this wine: 92 Points
deep ruby color - nose graphite with sandal wood, still a little bit fruity - taste very harmonic and fruity with integrated tannins - long finish - the last of 12 bottles and the best - wine is at its climax - drink and enjoy now
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2014 - andtheodor wrote: 91 Points
Dust, mint, chocolates, andes, currant, pencil, tobacco, drinking well now. Not a big wine, but quite nice.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/2/2014 - Battersea James Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for about 2 hours. As you would expect, lighter in body than many pauillacs with a decent amount of acidity. Medium length. I really liked this wine - I thought it went really well with food. Highly enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/13/2014 - MRichman wrote:
Good, but not up to the 1994. A little lacking in the middle. Needs a little more time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2014 - AlanM68 wrote: 92 Points
Still a deep, dark, red verging on black - black fruits, tobacco and tar on the nose and more so in the mouth. Moderate length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2014 - Duncan Disorderly wrote: 89 Points
Great nose but one dimensional one the palate. Disappointing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2014 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 87 Points
Terroir-istes International - France, Bordeaux, Pauillac (Rodwell House): 51% CS, 34% Merlot, 9% CF; 6% PV: Deep crimson, the nose appears youthful and full of chocolate, dried spices, mocha, blackcurrant, cassis, and tobacco.
Full-bodied, the wine enters warm with some glycerol, deeply intense with plenty of flesh and great concentration. Appealing, the wine is powerful and big-boned, yet the fleshy fruity still appears to spill out over the palate, making it rich and slightly overripe. There is undoubtedly some sweetness here, yet the flavours oscillate between ripe cassis, smoked meat, woodsmoke and a green, almost herbaceous feel suggesting some bipolar conditions at picking? Overall the wine feels a little clumsy and rides over the mid-palate not adding that much depth to create more layers. Could be a trickier year e.g. 2002?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2014 - Vstalam wrote: 89 Points
Somewhat disappointing. Wonderful nose of red fruits, earth, and hints of wood. Just came off as somewhat diluted and light and lacking any noticeable length on the finish. Hard for me to tell if it will get better with time or if it's just not up to the level of other vintages.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2014 - dbkitc wrote: 92 Points
Really enjoyable, classic bottle of Pichon. The aromatics were on point and really filled the glass. Unlike some other 2002 wines from Pauillac, there was also good flavor depth - not exceptional, but good and I think the remaining tannin will integrate well over the next 5 or so years. (92)
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2014 - meqoubal36 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Il faut être encore très patient avec ce vin... Le premier soir, malgré quatre heures d'aération après décantation, le vin reste fermé, extrémement dur, inaccessible. J'ai fini par apprécier un peu le verre que je m'étais servi, en fin de soirée. Après plus de 24 heures en revanche : merveille veloutée dont la richesse fuse voluptueusement à travers mes sens. Doux, riche et ample nectar, confiture de myrtille, cassis, violette, graphite, café, chocolat, menthe, du gras et de l'opulence, suavité incroyable... excellent.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2013 - sastewart wrote: 92 Points
Classy wine! Graphite, ainse, a little herbs and cedar. Blackcurrents, lavender and earth. Softer and more elegant than 2000 Gruaud Larose but not necessarily better.. Now or later. 92 Points
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2013 - BailliSacks wrote:
Excellent. Wants a couple hours' airing to show itself fully. Dark and intense but not overpowering. Dirt and clay, pencil, maybe just a little greenness. Drink now or later, no hurry.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2013 - IamNotDrinkingAny#@!%Merlot wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful, and drinking great right now. Deep, structured and complex. Only critique would be a lack of a really long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 88 Points
Opened by Dan. One of 3 Bordeaux opened at an offline last week and I did not think any of them showed particularly well. This seemed very muted to me. Most of the fruit was hidden and what showed was crushed grape skin. I did not think this was very tannic either so I was not sure what to make of it. Still very drinkable but nothing that stood out. Give this some time to see what comes around. I liked this about as much as the 1978 but not as well as the 2001 or the prodigious 2010. 88 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2013 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
Dark garnet color. Aromas of black currants with a touch of tobacco followed by that lovely Pichon Lalande herbal/green streak and plum. Slightly chalky tannins with flavors of plum, currants and red fruit with herb and spice notes. Medium(+) finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2013 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Opened by Dan at Praga offline with xhoser. This was my favorite of the three Bordeauxs opened last night. Black fruits with leather, tobacco and violets.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2013 - Papies wrote: 87 Points
5 Decades of Chateau Pichon Lalande, with Richard Brazier (Handford Wines, London): Quite a bit of colour. The nose is open and very classic. Fine spice, white pepper & herbs dominate. Beautiful nose and easily the highlight of the wine. On the palate the green fruit makes its presence felt early on and makes the wine on the difficult side. Not sure if time can cure this but unfortunately this , green, bitter edge is a major drawback at this stage. 87
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/17/2013 - rossi.wine wrote: 89 Points
Still pretty dark in colour. Red fruit on the nose, cassis, wood, spices. Good fruit on the palate, fresh and quite tannic, but also a bit angular, lean and not very generous. Pretty long and persistent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2013 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark colour. Lovely fragrance of classic cassis, pencil, some tobacco, cedar, kirsch and blackberries. On the palate good balance with nice structure and fresh fruit. Medium tannins and acidity. Can't find any disturbing green notes, but it is not the most powerfull of wines. Instead it's elegant and beautifully poised. Great from a so-so vintage!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2013 - peterchoy wrote: 91 Points
Appearance: Bright and clear, this wine is of medium ruby color, with legs.
Nose: Clean, the nose shows medium (+) intensity aromas of ripe black fruit of blackcurrant, blackberry and brambles, vegetable notes of black olive, dried fruit of prune, oak notes of cedar, pungent spice of liquorice, kernel notes of cocoa, some mineral notes of pencil lead. The wine is developing.
Palate: Dry with medium (+) acidity, medium (+) tannin of ripe and silky texture, the wine has medium alcohol and is of medium (+) body with medium (+) intensity flavors of black fruit such as blackberry and blackcurrant, red fruit of plum, herbal notes of tea leaves, oak notes of vanilla and cedar. The wine has a long finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality Pauillac with an intense and complex nose, though there is a bit of green and vegetable characters which suggest coming from a more difficult vintage. The palate is very well structured and balanced, the robust concentration making the wine even better on the taste than aroma. With a very long finish, the wine is ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 3-5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2013 - Rechrom wrote: 92 Points
Remains red to rim. Nice nose of plums and leather. Dark fruits on the palate. Good length, clean finish, good acidity. Excellent bottle that has many years left but seems a touch light on fruit and structure to allow significant improvement from where it is now. Great wine for this vintage.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2013 - johnh1001 wrote: 90 Points
Alliance dinner. Great nose of earth, green olive and dark fruit. Same on the palate with a classic Pichon silkiness. This drinks well now but will last for some time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2013 - barbicancrane wrote: 92 Points
Dark ruby. Cassis on the nose. Smooth oak, tannin, acidity, harmonious. Long finish. Decanted 1 hour prior to drinking. Still lovely next day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2013 - PaulHig wrote: 92 Points
Beautifully balanced, great wines can still be made in poor vintages. Clean, ripe fruit, touch of olive, perfumed tobacco and minerals. Not the most concentrated, but still a memorable, lengthily finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2013 - winelovr2001 wrote: 93 Points
No brett in this bottle, great classic bordeaux
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot produced a wine with olive, wet earth, tobacco and cassis. Medium bodied, with an olive, black cherry and slight herbal quality, the wine feels slightly dry in the finish. I’d opt for drinking this sooner than later.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/3/2012 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
Tasting quite good but I feel this will continue to evolve over atleast the next 5-7 years. Rich dark fruit with medium tannins and a lovely mouth-feel, this is not a classic Pichon but a very good one and definitely food friendly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2012 - AlanM68 wrote: 92 Points
Nearly a year since last tasted, and it's continued to evolve. Still a little tight, sharp even, on first taste (after 90 mins decanted) but the tannins are soft and smooth. Inky black in the glass showing it's still young. Good length and plenty going on, yet room for it to become more interesting still.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2012 - godx wrote: 86 Points
La Commanderie de Bordeaux à Vancouver - 2002 Horizontal (Blue Water Cafe): Deep red. Lighter nose with a note of oatmeal (weird I know) along with loads of oak and dark red fruits. Palate is surprisingly soft and almost to the point of being dilute, with no tannins and a very dry finish. Comes across as modern in style. Lighter and elegant and shows very little Bordeaux typicity. A boring wine. Good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2012 - jcgarcia wrote: 89 Points
This was fine, but unremarkable. Round flavors ... i could have used a bit of something -- anything. I hate the grade inflation in scores, so while this was "good", I'll rate it 89 so that I don't tube the rating overall
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2012 - Rechrom wrote: 93 Points
Very deep red. Developing nose with cedar and spices and berry fruit. Dark fruits, plum and cherry, on a spicey palate with some might wood notes. Long amd clean. A bit shrill with acidity and a bit of bell pepper, but this should improve with several years time. Leave go until 2015 at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2012 - ecnemergut wrote: 94 Points
Consumed over two days. Score reflects second day. Copious blackberries and currant on the nose. Very long finish. Fantastic wine. I'm guessing this is still a years from its peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2012 - mbwineguy wrote: 88 Points
Opened and poured. A nice, clear, precise red Bordeaux that is enjoyable, but not terribly interesting. Aggressive swirling produced a hint of blackberry and that green/peppery/spicy Lalande character. Next time I would decant to see if it opens up more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2012 - ianlittler wrote: 89 Points
It difficult to get thru to this one, still tight an hour after decanting
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2012 - gsquireh wrote: 92 Points
Full-bodied, rich and royal purple and with an hour of decanting changed beatifully shedding all tannins. give time before drinking. Tobacco, violets, and licorice aromatics with wonderful structure. Elegant and a mouthful of dense complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2012 - ianlittler wrote: 89 Points
I find it difficult to evaluate this one. Opened slowly and well but seemed to fall away rather rapidly after about three hours. I think I'll leave it for another six months before trying again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2012 - Shanta wrote:
Initially rather severe, with graphite, polished wood, a grainy tannic palate and not much sign of any trademark feminine elements. Opened gradually in the glass to a vey different, more expressive wine - a nose of red fruits, with warmer notes like raisins, spicy expensive oak and a richer but still firm palate. Serious rather than easy, it needed time and attention to appreciate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2012 - ianlittler wrote: 85 Points
Simply not yet ready - leave for a year
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2011 - tutticalvi wrote: 89 Points
Fruit never came out to play over 3 hours. Nice mouthfeel, round tannins. It had that slight rancid flavor found in some bordeaux's, which is not necessarily a bad thing in moderation. Just need some fruit to go along with it. Drank alongside a 2008 Hall Cabernet, which was more interesting to drink. Perhaps wine is shut down, will try again in a few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2011 - AlanM68 wrote: 92 Points
Potential to score higher than the average (90.4 and I am scoring 92 based on this tasting). After 3 hours in the decanter, it's very together, rounded and silky. I am a huge pichon fan ... So maybe just a little biased, but I like this wine and look forward to the remaining 9 in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/15/2011 - paulst wrote: 89 Points
Challenging vintage; tight and reticent; closed down? Nose initially sweet blackberry; later moderate fruit and earthy with undeveloped tannins; light finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2011 - Rechrom wrote: 91 Points
Still youthful, developing nose, very good palate with chocolate notes and dark berry, soft tannins, good finish. Very slight green notes detracts a bit, but improved continually over five hours and I expect many good years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2011 - ecnemergut wrote: 88 Points
Very mature and elegant. Blackberry and currants.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2011 - Ricky99 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soft tannins in beautiful balance with fruit.... opened an hour before drinking... last sips the best
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2011 - AlanM68 wrote: 92 Points
Drank alongside a 1986 - the new and the old compared. The 02 plainly still has loads of time left. Last night it was good though - decanted for 3 hours - with an initial sense of iron. Black fruits and leather followed, all strong and expressive. Tannins were already rounded with little in the way of rough edges. 10 still left in the case and plenty of time left to enjoy them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2011 - MRichman wrote:
A bit stiff with lots of iron and mineral. Has some nice herb but a bit chunky and lean. Tannins are fine and starting just barely to melt into the fruit. Plenty of blackened wood and a long finish with bitter nut. Has a delicate nature under strong angular fruit with a bit of sweet perfume. Not a warm wine, nor is it generous. But it is suave, fairly smooth, complex, and shows real class. Even from 375 this is young. I wouldn't open a 750 for at least 5 years. Does this have a lot of cabernet franc in it? Has that green, peppery edge.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2011 - douggator wrote: 93 Points
Very nice currant notes, balanced with with mineral. Well balanced Pauillac with good acid and tannins for nice smooth moutfeel and long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2010 - europat55 wrote:
18-bottle Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Vertical (1976-2007) (Jeff & Chuck's, Mountain View, California): Not as good as the other Lalande vintages tasted the same day. Seems to have aging potential, but there are concerns with the green tannins. Not ready for business yet. Likely a 88+ pts in 5-10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2010 - Lord Rayas wrote: 93 Points
Dinner with Alex bro (Jackson Room): consistent with last time. lovely notes of sweet earth, leather and tobacco. develops nicely in glass. very enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2010 - Lord Rayas wrote: 93 Points
would never have guessed the vintage given its glorious nose of smoke, coffee, leather and sweet licorice. palate a little dry and short. surely one of the best wines of the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2010 - Spencer wrote:
Just checking in on this wine. Still dominated by its structure, but I remain convinced that this will be a fantastic wine when mature. Hands off for another 5 - 10 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2010 - brynmair wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyable bottle for a performance of Hamlet. Deep color and a complex taste profile. Wish I had more than a half bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/13/2010 - Rechrom wrote: 92 Points
Three hour decant. Very nice nose of pencil, coffee, earth with emerging complexity. Good entry and medium weight on the palate. Clean with chocolate and leather. Finish is a bit short. Deep red, many years left but good now after a good decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2010 - profiler54 wrote: 92 Points
Clear dark purple garnet color, Nose of earthy dark roast coffee, pencil shavings, leather, tobacco, dusty blackberries and crème de cassis
fairly balanced, medium acid and full bodied with firm tannins. Palate in line with the nose with some dark chocolate to add to the mix. This wine is currently drinking well with a long decant.. I don't think it will get any better not a great vintage.. This wine has the stuff to last another decade or more
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2010 - pian0_player wrote: 92 Points
Classic perfume of Pauillac. Nice fruit and complexity. I love the Pichon terroir. The wine is tannic and a bit short, but very nice and elegant wine. Nice job in a difficult vintage. Drank along side the 2002 Pavie and I have to say the Pavie was better. Tight and closed for about three hours in the decanter. Very nice with Pork Rillettes that I served at my Bordeaux dinner party.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2010 - dream wrote: 88 Points
Dark and very tannic but big-scaled. Kind of monolithic now but possesses a lot of material. It improved, although stubbornly, after a 2-hr decant. Seems to need a load of time but the tannins are a touch green which is a concern. Reminds me of the '86 although even that wine was never this closed and non-forgiving. We'll see. 88+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2009 - pjaines wrote:
Oh dear - green green green and sharp. The fruit is hiding or barely peeping through some fairly astringent tannins. Reticent on the nose - the palate is tarte, short and bitter. I wouldn't say this is in a dumb phase - it just seems to lack the depth and oomph you would expect from a chateau such as this. Time may be kind to this wine in the long run but I wouldn't bet on it.
For now it is sitting in a decanter and I'll come back to it in a few hours.
7 hours later this is more palatable but it is also being drunk with food - less pronounced tannins and greenness but still lacks the depth and class for the price.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/2/2009 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
This remains an undiscovered treasure. Good color, jammy black fruit, chocolate, olives, tobacco and spice in the perfume. Already showing well, this Bordeaux wine offers a beautiful palate feel. It is an elegant style of wine that ends with ample, soft, sweet black fruit and elegant textures in the mouth. Give it 2 or 3 more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2009 - ecnemergut wrote: 85 Points
Totally shut down right now, even after 2 days. I probably should have withheld my rating, but I did not.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2009 - vinojones wrote: 89 Points
opaque red/black;green tea nose;body tannin>friut, unevolved, closed down, lean under ripe cherry flavors; rel fast fin
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2009 - winelovr2001 wrote: 93 Points
No specific note taken, but it was showing nicely. Needs time but it is still accessable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2008 - ecnemergut wrote: 90 Points
Consumed over two days. Dark purple color. Wonderful nose (better on the 2nd day) of currants, blackberries, raspberries, and earth. Full on the palate with an earthy finish. Very good: better with time...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2008 - Rupert wrote: 92 Points
31 Vintages of Pichon Lalande 1928-2005; 12/16/2008-12/17/2008 (IOD, London): Charcoal nose, some berries, good tangy fruit, more reserved than the '04, more structured with a big acidic spine and some tannic grip - but overall very fine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2008 - quigley13 wrote: 87 Points
Leather plum, tannic. I wonder how much this will improve with age. Try again in 2012.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2008 - Spencer wrote:
Wow - has this shut down. Tannic, dense and brooding. Great depth and concentration, but it's currently dominated by it's structure. I won't touch another bottle for at least ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/26/2008 - ecnemergut wrote: 91 Points
I felt like I was committing infanticide by drinking this wine, but I have six more and really wanted to give it a try...
Decanted about 60 minutes, Wonderful nose of currants and other black fruit. Very full in the mouth with more fruit and subtle other flavors: leather? Not too much tannin. A medium long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2008 - brewking wrote: 89 Points
still trying to figure out the bordeaux's but this has a mutliple layer, smoke, ripe, mineral taste. definatley opens with a bit of air
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2008 - GA wrote: 91 Points
2/08 Concentrated fruit with lasting finish - still very young. 91 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2008 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 84 Points
Pichon-Lalande Vertical (Harry's Steak): Way more tannic than the '01, in fact almost abrasive on the finish. Hm - pouring them in the same glass might make a complete wine....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2007 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
HDH bordeaux tasting (evanston IL): nose: real nice soft floral nose. Blueberry, some cranberry, and a slight bit of cedar on the nose. much more merlot used in this vintage
taste: real nice soft mouth. some cranberry, blueberry, cedar, and hints of leather
overall: real nice. much more merlot based and gives us that floral aspect that merlot brings. Unfortunetly there isn't much of a finish, but this wine has that nice femininity that LaLande is known for
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2007 - jordanj wrote: 88 Points
drank over two nights. Tanic, harsh, bitter. Some say it is not ready but i don't think there is anywhere near enough fruit to develop.lightly perfumed nose with smoke, coffee and dirt. lacks stuffing. .
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/25/2007 - mortenef wrote: 88 Points
Incredibly tannic. Almost pure vinegar. But sensing the fruit behind, I evaluated the wine each day. On day 3 it was aproacheble, displaying nice fruit, and softness on the palate. When I first saw the drinking window, starting with 2012, I just couldnt believe it. Now I can.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2007 - Siggy wrote:
Winestreet Does France and Italy (Kozlak's, North Oaks, MN): Great nose of red cherries, cedar, pencil lead, and herbs. The palate is shut down pretty hard -- the midpate just kind of vanishes. Soft mouthfeel. This was tough to evaluate because it was so closed. Judgment reserved.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2007 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 92 Points
Winestreet Tastes France and Italy (including 04 Mouton, 03 Chapelle, 05 Girardin, and 02 Lalande): The color is a dark red/purple. The nose is the classic Pichon Lalande. I can't describe it, but I know it when I smell it. I would say red fruit, minerals, smoke, leather, and that tell-tale greenness. Awesome. On the palate this is very structured. The fruit is present, but the structure dominates at this point. My notes read "stern, reserved, classic." It is definitely worth laying a few of these down, as they should develop nicely.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2006 - jcgarcia wrote: 88 Points
Maybe just young, but only so-so in my book. I tasted leather. Complex though. Maybe after some more time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2006 - DoubleMagnum wrote:
Good, but pricey
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/28/2006 - vintage61 wrote: 89 Points
Not sure what I was expecting from this bottle, but i do not think I got it. There was a lot of fruit and good tannin, but there was little or no structure. I hope the wine was just in an akward stage because I have a few more. I opened this as a basis for an additional purchase, but I will pass for now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2006 - Brnshj22 wrote: 90 Points
The cork was bulging out about 2 milimetres, so I decided to pop this one to find out if it was suffering from heat damage. It displayed a beautiful purple core with a slightly lighter pink color along the rim. No visible signs of anything wrong. All in all, this was an enjoyable wine, but it seemed to have some sort of odd "cooked" flavour in the aftertaste. Almost unnoticable and only a bit disturbing. Apart from that, the 2002 Comtesse shows rich and succulent fruit, pretty harsh tannins and a persistent finish that holds promises for the future. I hope it puts on some weight though. I would love to taste a flawless bottle. 90+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2006 - Dteng wrote: 92 Points
Deep, dark and backward. Day 1 was essentially not enjoyable. Concentrated and tannic. However, by day 2 (and 3) this really opened up to show a fabulous nose of currants, cassis, lead pencil and charcoal. This is really promising with pure fruit and an absolute steal at $29.99 when I bought it. However, I say if you are short on supply, leave it alone for minimum 7 years. If you are going to open, decant for hours if not a day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2006 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Leather nose
Lucious currant on the palate
Nice long leather finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/28/2006 - MRichman wrote:
Dark color. Sweet candied fruit nose with sweet spice & clove.
Sweet dark fruit. Tar core. Smoth with classy dark burnt oak. Some sweet spice. Tastes like a hot weather wine. Long burnt nut bitter finish. Expansive high tones, good structure, creamy. Dominated by dark notes with some secondary flavors. Needs integration. Will there be enough fruit to blossom?
B/B+
Improved on day 2. This will be a very nice wine.
$29 375ml Zachy's 3/06
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2005 - Fatty Cat wrote: 89 Points
Late Nov 2005: red purple ink; blackberries plus some wood and vanilla; very tannic and rather unbalanced on the palate; certain acidity.
Opened too young. Not sure about the potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/21/2005 - BradA wrote: 90 Points
As I thought this might be tight, I opened and decanted at noon. The color was rich and a purple hue Over the afternoon, I refunneled between the bottle and decanter several times. At 7pm the wine was still rather muted but gave some elements of spice and graphite. The tannins are prominant and the oak seemed balanced. I look forward to trying this again in 8-10 years as their is plenty of upside at maturity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2005 - Spencer wrote: 96 Points
Absolutely stunning young Bordeaux. Very tight at the moment, with almost painful concentration. Deep and complex, with a long, long finish. Certainly needs a lot more time, but the balance here is impeccable. This is a winner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2005 - Gwalchgwynn wrote: 93 Points
Very elegant with soft fruit and tannins. Very round and full. Still a bit tough, but nonetheless quite drinkable now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2005 - duchamp wrote: 86 Points
Very little of everything, nose, flavors and finish, disappointing - 7/06 Second tasting, much more fruit driven than I remember, missing some of the typical cedar, cigar box, tea leaf notes of a classic Bordeaux, could be easily mistaken for Cal Cab - I would raise the score to a 90, however, I tasted this along side the 2003, 2001, 1990 and 1989, it was the least impressive of the group.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/25/2005 - jmcmchi wrote:
More cherry on nose than expected; otherwise bramble pencil lead and an earthy note
Stemmy tannins very evident on palate, needs time to settle down. Potentially quite good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2005 - MRichman wrote:
2002 Bordeaux Offline (Frank's Steakhouse, NYC): Rich, big fruit. Sweet, lots of stiff tannins. Fruit a bit short & flat. Nice.
B
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2005 - DFC wrote: 88 Points
2002 Bordeaux (Garagiste, Seattle, WA): Earthy, woody, dark fruits on the nose. On the palate, soft, plummy, and sour. The mid-palate is hollow, and the finish is merely OK. This wine was a disappointment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2005 - Wusman wrote: 88 Points
Garagiste 2002 Bordeaux Tasting (Garagiste Warehouse, Seattle, WA): Deep purple. Marachino cherries on nose? Some graphite and cedar as well. The palate showed dark fruits initially, but then transitioned to somewhat green, vegetal tastes. Seemed to be the most tannic of the wines present. Sad to see this was the PL.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2004 - claudio_bxl wrote:
The 2002 Pichon Longueville Comtesse shows a good volume of aromatics with hints of tobacco and morello cherries as well as general red fruit aromas and vainilla. On the mouth it is quite round and elegant with a good level of complexity good oak integration and some interesting mineral notes as well as a good level of acidity. Good wine for keeping and my favorite of the 2002 union des grand crus tasting in Brussels
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2004 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Winery: Softer than 2003, licorice mth, licorice-coffee; bit less fruit, but more complex and integrated than 03. Very viscous mth, soft, big t’s; long hot choc. fin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2004 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
Winery: Int. nose of cassis; cedar, berries; some coffee in the mth; very hot long fin.***Full of char., higher notes in mth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2004 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Bordeaux "en Primeur" Tasting and Rhone side visit; 3/29/2004-4/2/2004 (France): Tasted at En Primeur tasting for the 2003s. Black cherry and currant with firm structure. Good textures, moderate complexity. Will drink nicely young, probably 2008 forward. 89-90 point potential.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2003 - Joe Belmaati wrote: 90 Points
(drawn from cask April 28th 2003 - the bottle noted that the sample should be consumed before May 3rd 2003, but it did not seem to be flawed in any way). Purple in the glass. Vanilla spice on the nose. A bit simple in the mouth. Doesn't really seem fully ripe. At least not as ripe as other recent vintages. However, this is quite enjoyable and could turn out excellent. Take my score with a pinch of salt.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment