24 Vintages of Pichon Lalande
Tasted Wednesday, June 23, 2021 by Cailles with 795 views
Introduction
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, in most wines this night 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.
All bottles bought En Primeur and not moved since. The bottles have not been decanted but just opened one or the other hour prior to the tasting
1985 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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, in most wines this night 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 was a very good wine, on par with the 89 and only slightly overshadowed by the 88. Medium- expressive nose, a bit rustic with tobacco and fresh dark fruit at the centre and just a touch of burnt sugar. Fine tannins and a good freshness on the palate, slightly creamy texture. Not overly deep but with beautiful herbal, cola and minerality notes circling around a more red fruit core. Nicely precise and balanced but with a touch sweetness and charm missing. This seems mature and will likely not improve from here on.
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1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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, in most wines this night 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 was the weakest 80s Lalande tonight. Maybe just another 86 which needs a bit more time to unfurl (in the context of this large tasting the bottle has not been decanted beforehand). On the nose and palate very dark fruit and some slight tobacco, barnyard and minerality aromas but overall not very complex, precise and not expressive. The structure was fairly good with smooth tannins, a good acidity and tension. Good wine but nothing too interesting here.
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1988 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 was the best of the 80s Lalandes - to my surprise. The nose was fairly closed and never fully came through but on the palate this was very good, sensual and sexy, completely round and harmonious, creamy and light with lots of red and dark berries, tobacco, earthy notes, wet forest floor and minerality. It could have had more precision and depth but it was still a great wine.
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1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Expressive nose with red berries, some darker forest fruit and tobacco. On the palate there is quite a bit of red fruit, herbs, minerality and some tertiary aromas. Very pleasant to drink but I expected a bit more fruit, a bit more sexiness and creaminess from a 1989. I guess the best bottles of this and with a proper decant would have shown much better and could reach a higher score.
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1993 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 showed surprisingly well. Yes, it’s a rather light vintage but it had many traits of a great wine. Medium+ expressive nose with dark, fresh fruit, tobacco, burnt sugar and cola. On the palate this is very soft and balanced with tobacco, burnt sugar, fresh red and dark berries, lots of cola. It doesn’t have the depth and precision of the 1996 which was the best wine from the 90s but in terms of drinking pleasure this bottle was not far away tonight.
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1994 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 84 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 wine (or bottle) has seen its best days. There was still some fruit (but too ripe fruit), the tannin structure still had some harsher edges and over everything there was a layer of soy and oxidation notes. Not much fun to drink.
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1995 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 1995 was a bit of a disappointment when revealed. You could sense that there is a bit more complexity than in other 90s vintages and hence that it might be from one of the better vintages but there were slightly drying tannins and some first unwanted oxidation aromas. The nose was medium expressive but had beautiful barnyard aromas along some ripe dark and red fruits. On the palate this was darker fruited, with minerality and earthy notes and some barnyard hints. The tannins had some edges first, became softer with time but were slightly drying. Not a bad wine, but not a winner either and no comparison to the 1996 in the next glass.
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1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 was the best wine from the 90s. An expressive nose with ripe dark and red fruit, even slightly candied, intense with herbs but still rather young-ish without much tertiary aromas. Quite good precision not only on the nose but palate, which distinguished this vintage from virtually all other Lalandes from that period. On the palate full-bodied with ripe dark and red berries, minerality, herbs and some hints of tobacco. At first still a bit rough around the edges, the wine opened-up and became more round, soft and creamy with more air. More depth than most other vitnages and a good medium+ long finish. I would give this a good decant, it needs it. 94+ points.
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1997 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 84 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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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1998 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: On the nose the 98 was rather muted with a very dark, dense and unforgiving core. On the palate, however, this was much more open and showed beautifully sexy and sweet, light and airy. Sweet red fruits, cola, herbs, tobacco all embedded in this fine frame. It didn’t had the depth and precision of the 1996 but was still fun to drink and easily worth 92 to 93 points that night.
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1999 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Surprisingly, this was one of the wines of the tasting and almost on par with the 1996 (which has a higher precision but is a touch less sexy). This bottle showed quite expressive and intense with very ripe dark red berries, burnt sugar and coffee. On the palate it had lots of pure sweet strawberries, along with some cherries and darker berries, herbs, minerality, burnt sugar. Round structure, light and airy, the right amount of creaminess and freshness. At first I scored this 96+ point but that first boom quickly faded away and the wine became more pedestrian. Still 94 points are well deserved here. Given this experience, I would not decant the wine.
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2000 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Very light and red fruited nose with floral hints and rhubarb notes. Not too exciting but very inviting. Much better palate where the wines shines bright with its roundness and freshness and with a red fruit profile along rhubarb, rosehip and minerality and some herbs, even a touch of burnt sugar shines through. Sexy and sweet. The structure and texture are good to very good, it’s light and fresh, round and airy. Overall it misses a bit of depth and poise but I still find it quite great and deceptively easily to drink. This one deserves easily a 94 score.
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2001 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Very light nose with some red fruits and coffee notes. On the palate this is very soft and round and with some swirling more aromas came trough with red fruit, some darker berries, cola, herbs and minerality. Not super complex but quite harmonious and all embedded in a fairly fresh and fine structure. Not much tertiary development yet but I guess it has a enough fruit to gain a bit more complexity over the next 5 to 10 years.
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2002 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 85 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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.
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2003 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 liked this a lot and it was not easily identifiable as a 2003. I guess in that rather mediocre to weak period of Pichon Lalande, the extra kick from the hot vintage just helped enough to bring a bit extra depth and poise into the wines. On of the best wines of the tasting. Dark and medium+ intense nose with darker fruit than normal but still some red berries, cola and floral notes. Ripe but not too ripe. Same on the palate with good red and dark fruits, coffee, tobacco and earthy. Nicely sweet but not too sweet. It doesn’t have the complexity of the best wines of the vintage but it is so easy to drink and was good from the go.
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2004 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: With some air the initially muted nose showed some nice candied fruits with the same profile mirrored on the palate. Some coffee and herbal notes as well but overall not much complexity, not much excitement there. The structure is good with fine tannins, a well-integrated acidity and a creamy texture. Easy to drink and quite pleasant.
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2005 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 was not a particularly good wine. Due to the vintage, there is a bit more depth than in one or the other vintage but it’s a mess with a far to ripe fruit profile and not much precision and focus. The structure is fine, the tannins are round but it has not the elegant, creamy texture many other vintages have. Overall a slightly underwhelming wine but without any big faults.
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2008 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 is not my first 2008 which drinks well these days. Of course, this will never be a star vintage but many wines such as this Pichon are now in their first tertiary stage with tobacco, wet-earth, some barnyard aromas completing the aroma profile and making the wines very easy to drink and much more interesting. While it was not convincing enough to make me buy some bottles I would order it off a restaurant list anytime. Ripe red and some hints of darker fruit, lots of tobacco, some black truffles, some barnyard aromas, good precision and all embedded in a fine, fresh structure.
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2009 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: The best wine of the tasting and to my surprise it was the 2009! Not that 2009 is a surprise per se, we all know it’s a great vintage for the left bank but tasting it blind it thought this to be the 2010. The purity and airiness didn’t scream 2009 which is usually a bit bolder and riper. Right from the go, it was clear that this is a great wine: ultra-fine tannin structure, lots of well-integrated acidity, nicely creamy texture without any weight as well as a long finish. The only thing missing was a bit of depth but with some swirling and more time in the glass it became more and more complex. Expressive nose with sweer, pure red berries and tobacco. On the palate red fruits, rhubarb, elderflowers, more floral aromas, more darker red fruit and dark berries, minerality and some herbs. Complete package and drinking on a 95 points level
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2010 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: A rather muted nose not giving much at this point. Better on the palate but also not completely open. This would have needed a long decant to open up. Superbly fresh and light with lots of pure, ripe red fruit and floral aromas, elderflower, rhubarb and roship, a bit of herbs and earthy notes. Very pleasant and light, elegant and soft, super harmonious and with good length. Drinking on a 94 points level but certainly can gain a few more with maturitiy, more openness and more complexity.
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2011 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Nothing to exciting to find in this vintage. Like all 2011s, this is fresh, light and airy but it also had a bit of an astringent quality I didn’t like. I guess you really have to go to the big names in this vintage to find a spectacular wine (think Cheval). While not bad, this was rather simple and I didn’t took detailed notes on the aromas. Fine tannins, a bit too dominant acidity and the previously mentioned airy texture and feel.
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2012 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Like many 2012s, this is a lot of fun to drink these days. A nice early drinking vintage. The wine showed the first tertiary aromas with some wet earth and tobacco which added to the complexity and complemented the red and darker berries, herbs and minerality aromas beautifully. The tannins are fairly round, the acidity is well integrated and the texture is soft and cream. Overall, not the most complex, precise and long wine but in a good first drinking window
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2014 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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: Beside the big names, this was one of the stars of the 2014 left bank wines in the arrivage tastings (rated 95+ points) in a good preview of would happen with this winery in the following years when quality exploded. I’ve had it again late last year and it seemed a bit dormant (rated 93 points). This bottle confirmed the positive impression and was one of the best wines in the tasting. The nose a bit more muted, the wine opened up on the palate with lots of classic Pauillac aromatics with dark fruits, smoke, tobacco, graphite and a layer of sexiness with lots of red berries and some rhubarb. The structure will need more time to soften further but the tannins are ripe and round. The freshness is good and the texture is light and airy but misses a bit of sexiness and creaminess but that will come with time.
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2015 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
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 is the first time I’ve crossed path with this vintage and it delivered. Seductive on the nose with creamy red and dark fruits. Very inviting and quite precise. On the palate lots of power with an array of rather red fruits and floral aromas balanced by a smoky minerality and a layer of herbs. The structure is very good with fine tannins and a high but well integrated acidity. Very balanced and harmonious with a creamy texture and with good tension. Medium+ length. Overall a very good wine which has some upside with more age and complexity. 94 to 95 points.
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