5 Decades of Chateau Pichon Lalande, with Richard Brazier

Richard Brazier of Ancient and Modern Wines ( http://www.ancientandmodernwines.co.uk/ ) presented a vertical of Pichon Lalande to showcase the attributes of the chateaux over 5 decades. Granted though the 76 and 66 were from a previous regime.

In general the wines had some key characteristics more possible down to the Cepage which is approx 50% CS, 35% M and the rest split among CF and PV. The wines have a charm early on not evident in the heavy CS Pauillacs. The colour was a hallmark and it stayed dense and with almost no discoloration until we hit the 1985 vintage. Same with the nose which the 1989 was the first fruit heavy nose of all the line up and 85 the first one to exhibit a heavy earthy nose.

For people born and 1976 who struggle to find wines from their birth year like 50% of Papies this PL76 is a great find.

All wines were decanted for like 1.5 hrs

• 2002 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  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

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• 1999 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  This is 37% Cab Sauv! Again the colour is dense and no discoloration at all. Quite a mild nose, reclusive especially when compared with the 2002 we tried just before. The palate though is one of a very good wine. Good fruit, good density we should add and depth and just a light touch of dry/bitter tannin on the finish. This wine unlike the 2002 feels like it has potential and will definitely improve with time. 89 for now and would not rush it as this will def climb in the 90s in a few years.

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• 2000 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  No discoloration at all as expected but to our surprise this is not a backward wine like most 2000s. The nose is actually quite seductive, open, fresh, light herbs and spice more than the fruit. On the palate, despite its youth, it is not austere and shows very well. Good density of fruit, balance and elegance. Needs time to develop but even now it is a pretty solid wine and enjoyable. Good length and although lacks complexity at this stage we are very hopeful on this wine. The tannin is on the low side and although this might never be a super top wine it will not never be average. 93 (50% Cab Sauv)

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• 1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  3rd time we have come across this and with consistent ratings.
  Still quite a lot of colour here and no sign of age ( byt this time we think it is a PL trademark to hold it colour). Lovely peppery nose, light on the fruit, no secondary notes either. This is a very young wine of potential and to us at this stage it is in waiting mode (especially vs the 1995). We are big fans of 1996 left bank and this wine goes a lot way in proving the potential of the vintage. Vibrant, firm, lots of depth and good balance which just make it perfect to age. At the moment it’s a 92-93 from us but give it 5yrs and this will be in the high 90s.

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• 1995 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Among the very few 1995 left bank wine we actually are fans of. Side by side with the 96 and this actually , to us, is now a better wine. Rounder, fleshier with a lovely silky core of tannin. The fruit is very much there, the high merlot content (more like the fact that they avoided but Cab Sauv) removes the problematic sides of 95s and create a great wine. Very enjoyable now but still with the stuffing to go another 20years albeit it will probably be at peak in 5years(?). 94-95 from us. We are not delivery our 95s any time soon.

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• 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  The colour is still on the dense side. From the 02,00,99,96,95 line up we had before this, this is the first vintage where the fruit dominates the spice and the first one that secondary notes make their appearance. Proper classic claret, pure, elegant and well aged. Lacks a bit of power and their fruit is starting to thin on the mid palate but this is a solid wine with a lot life ahead of it and judging by the 76 and 66 we had on the follow this can last for many years more. Our WOTN 95

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• 1985 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Probably the first vintage in our line up that shows some discoloration. The nose is very much an 85, light spice, leather, earthy notes. Very classic on that front. On the palate it lacks density (What St Julien reds have in 85 that makes them such great wines)and is loosing its vibrancy. Very healthy wine but definitely one to drink up at this stage. Has def seen better days. 91-92

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• 1983 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Flawed

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Maderised and gone, such a shame as the 1983 is a great wine and our favourite (along with Margaux0 of the vintage. Our earlier tasting note is more relevant and add it here for reference)
  
  [07/02/2013 Magnificent wine. A pure joy to have. Open on the nose, classic pauillac, long complex with secondary notes but also with decent fruit. On the palate it is singing, vibrant alive and balanced wine with that purity of fruit that we so much cherish. an easy 96 for us and maybe more. WOTN by a long way ]

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• 1976 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  The colour shows its age. Still a healthy and vibrant wine with a beautifully mature nose with surprisingly a lot of fruit. Expected this to be more earthy. Mellow wine, mild and lack mid palate weight but give this is bordering to 40yrs old from the very hot 76 vintage it is to be expected. If nothing else this si among the better 76s we have come across. Zero rough edges, lasted very well in the glass (even after 2 hours since opening) and was just a joy to have. 93-94

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• 1966 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Much like the 1976 we had before this was a very healthy wine full of class and elegance that would put a huge grin on any classic Bordeaux lover. And we did have a huge grin! Not as good as the 76 but still very enjoyable, properly earthy in character. Loved the balance. Very enjoyable to have now but be aware that it does lack weight and depth of fruit. It is a 1966 after all. 92-93

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