Chateau Pichon Lalande Dinner with Nicolas Glumineau

The hallmark of this wine, the elegance and exceptional drinkability (=this wine is never heavy, never tires your palate and makes you craving for more) were confirmed this evening. Aromatics are also deep with cedar wood, spices and barnyard notes. 1986 was too tannic, a mistake they made, and, as it seems was repeated in 2005 (to be followed up). All other wines were outstanding with the 1995 the WOTN. All wines served decanted.

• 2005 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Réserve de la Comtesse 87 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Medium garnet. A relatively harmless nose that does not go beyond a commercial offering. This is confirmed on the palate where the wine is pleasant and drinkable but you keep asking yourself if this is really all they were able to do for a second wine of a Bordeaux super second in one of the best vintages...

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• 2005 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Dark garnet. Relatively closed nose of chocolate, dark fruit. The palate is rather tight and tannic, not revealing much, at least the tannins are not drying. Not much aroma either. It looks like this was over extracted, reminds me of the 1986 vintage which is full of wines as well that die before the can shed all the tannins. Well, open this again in 2020 for a final judgement. 89-92?

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• 1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 97 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Medium garnet with brick rim. Intense nose of earth, red fruits, smoke, barnyard, very Medoc and very complex. On the palate this is soft and elegant with extraordinary balance, elegance and drinkability, wow! On the peak now but can still age. This was the benchmark wine of the night.

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• 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  From Magnum. Medium-dark garnet. Nose of dark and red fruit with cigar box, spices and earth. Medium bodied palate with great balance and complexity. This is a bit lighter and preciser than the 86, also a bit more sappy. A very good Pauillac.

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• 1986 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  From Magnum. Medium-dark garnet. Nose of dark fruit with earthy tones, masculine Medoc. On the palate this is still quite closed like so many 1986 (and will probably never turn around) where they just overdid it withe the tannins. It is not bad now if you are used to Bordeaux but it would be exaggerated to say that they struck the right balance here between fruit and structure. Make sure you drink this with a steak.

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• 1985 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Medium-light garnet. Expressive nose with a noticeable barnyard/brett tone to it, for me a bit too much vs. the other aromas, but very popular at our table. Very soft and elegant palate providing excellent drinkability with food. Fully mature, will not get better, so drink up.

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• 1989 Château Guiraud 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Bernstein hue yellow. Expressive nose of apricot, lots of saffron, oyster and seaside aromas, very nice and complex. On the palate this is not only sweet but has great acidity and structure to make it a great companion to food as well.

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