Last bottle of this and just barely in time... Acids gone, tannins very faded but still rich flavors. Worked well with NY steaks as always. A touch shy on opening so decanted off sediment and gave this a few round trips through the aerating decanter and an hour of rest - which got this to a steady state.
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Good characterful Pauillac, but lacking in finesse now. I have had better bottles, and there is smudged personality here. The 1997s may be running out of development room. Enjoy soon.
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Next-to-last bottle of this and still a joy to drink. Nothing dramatic or in the face but the components are all there and in balance. Decanted 2 hours in advance and still needed more air to emerge... Last sip the best. Acidity and tannins nicely in balance with flavors. Perfect pairing with grilled ribeye.
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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: I haven’t spent much time with this wine as it was completely closed, rather astringent and without any harmony or balance. Maybe a long decant could make it sing but this bottle was hopeless.
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12/12/2023 - DBdeParis Likes this wine:
Last bottle of this and just barely in time... Acids gone, tannins very faded but still rich flavors. Worked well with NY steaks as always. A touch shy on opening so decanted off sediment and gave this a few round trips through the aerating decanter and an hour of rest - which got this to a steady state.
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11/2/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 88 Points
Good characterful Pauillac, but lacking in finesse now. I have had better bottles, and there is smudged personality here. The 1997s may be running out of development room. Enjoy soon.
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4/8/2023 - DBdeParis Likes this wine:
Next-to-last bottle of this and still a joy to drink. Nothing dramatic or in the face but the components are all there and in balance. Decanted 2 hours in advance and still needed more air to emerge... Last sip the best. Acidity and tannins nicely in balance with flavors. Perfect pairing with grilled ribeye.
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6/23/2021 - Cailles wrote: 84 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: I haven’t spent much time with this wine as it was completely closed, rather astringent and without any harmony or balance. Maybe a long decant could make it sing but this bottle was hopeless.
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12/21/2020 - pleigh Likes this wine: 92 Points
slightly oaky nose and fruit forward taste...everything starts to come together tho
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