December 3, 2023 - After the last bottle six months ago, another flawless showing. Exactly what an aged Bordeaux should be.
December 2, 2023 - Cloudy garnet color. Beautiful nose with leather, lilacs, and cherries, with some oaky notes. The palate is fresh, good acidity, cherries are bright, forest floor, tobacco leaves.. medium tannins, long finish with cedar and leather notes. Very good aged Pauillac that is showing great now. We aerated the wine but otherwise it was PnP. Drink now or age for a few more years, no signs of decline. The vintage is what it is, but this shows pretty well overall. The acidity and the fruit were good, but a bit dominated by the leathery notes, hence the 92 and not higher score.
November 18, 2023 - This is ready now, but you must be patient with a 2 hour decant.
Off the coast of Greece four miles out, sun almost gone and the memory of this wine...
As I swirl the ruby elixir within the delicate confines of a crystal goblet, the 1981 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande whispers tales of opulence and a summer's enchantment. This vintage, like a mellifluous jazz melody, carries nuances of refinement, beckoning to a connoisseur's heart and a romantic's soul.
The first encounter with this exceptional Bordeaux evokes memories of an era drenched in romance and the thrill of high adventure. A mere sip, and I am transported back to the sun-kissed summer of 1981, a mere lad of 16, when I traversed the cobblestone paths of my uncle's chateau. Amidst the verdant vineyards and the fragrant gardens, a tale unfolded—an exquisite love story with a captivating French maiden twenty years my senior.
Much like the wine's complex layers, her presence mirrored the intricate notes of blues and jazz, a symphony of passion and grace. It was amidst the allure of the chateau's grandeur that we discovered our own harmonious duet—a summer of love, entwined in the embrace of the French countryside.
Today they call it something else, but in those days we called it a blessing lads.
The 1981 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, a blend predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, unveils a medley of flavors that resonate with sophistication. With the first sip, the senses are greeted by a bouquet reminiscent of dark cherries, ripe plums, and a subtle whisper of cedar, evoking the allure of an antique mahogany guitar resonating through the night.
Much like the resonating chords of a guitar in a smoky jazz club, the wine's palate dances with a symphony of flavors. Rich black currants intermingle with hints of tobacco and a whisper of leather, harmonizing in perfect balance, reminiscent of the complexity found in a blues improvisation.
The tannins, akin to the velvet texture of a jazz melody, embrace the palate with a gentle yet persistent presence, offering structure and depth that linger like the memories of that unforgettable summer. The wine's elegant finish, with a touch of spice and a lingering echo of dark fruits, leaves an indelible impression—a testament to its finesse and timeless allure.
As I raise my glass to the stars, the reminiscence of that summer night intertwined with the beauty of this wine brings forth an undeniable nostalgia—a tribute to the serendipitous convergence of chance and intellect that shapes our destinies.
In conclusion, the 1981 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is not merely a wine; it's a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship that defines a moment, capturing the essence of a bygone era—a blend of elegance, passion, and the indelible memories of a summer love affair.
NOTE TO SELF: 2 HOUR DECANT, GLASS BY GLASS
October 1, 2023 - Subsequent notes on this wine from over 9 years ago. Dark garnet with a bit of clearing at the edges. Full, forward & intensely fragrant nose of complex, developed & mature ripe fruit aromas of cherries, cassis & plums with overtones of classic cigar box overtones of cedar & aged tobacco & floral notes of violets & lavender, earthy/dusty, herbs, spices, truffles, leather, minerals & a slight hint of oak in the background. Full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & silky smooth textured, integrated, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, black currants & cassis with spices, herbs, mushrooms, cocoa, minerals & oak/vanilla. Long lingering silky-smooth finish. Drinks quite well at 42 years of age & although it should hold here for a few more years, I doubt any further development will occur from additional aging. Fill was in lower portion of neck; cork stained 1/2 but intact.
June 25, 2023 - Second bottle from a 3 pack purchased that was an ex-chateau release in 2021 after recorking and topping up; another excellent bottle; definitely improved thanks to never leaving the chateau; classic nose with tobacco, herbs, earth, black currant, cedar, and marion berry. Complex and inviting. The palate is fresh and elegant with melted tannins and a lovely weight. Finishes with cedar and black currant. Excellent stuff.
June 9, 2023 - Absolutely spectacular showing for this wine again. Pristine bottle with mid-neck fill. Decanted about an hour. The wine showed a touch of heat at first but that disappeared after the decant. Great depth of fruit, a little forest forest floor, cedar and some green notes typical of P-L. Still going strong when we finished the bottle after five hours. Could this vintage give the '82 a run for its money? Maybe tonight it could have. Paired with a New York Strip with truffle butter sauce at Capital Grille Naples.
February 18, 2023 - Pronounced nose with notes of slight barnyard, spices, forest, toast. Medium acidity and medium tannin. Decant around 1 hour. Had 2 bottles from same source and consistent notes.
February 4, 2023 - Positiv överraskning, trodde inte att den skulle var så pass fräsch efter styvt 30 år och något omild lagring. Men här fanns både färsk och torkad frukt i form av svarta vinbär, björnbär och plommon. Hårdrostat kaffe, läder och en gnutta skogsgolv. Bra grepp i syra och tanniner. Bäst med något ätbart.
January 1, 2023 - This is just delicious. Classic, elegant, mature cassis fruit. Regal, tobacco. Lovely finish. Very expressive. Sophisticated. A great way to ring in 2023. (93)
August 27, 2022 - A little funk at the beginning, I should have decanted. All blown off in a half hour, classic mature PL
After being open for 3 hours, began to slide, so just decant a half hour before, assuming you’ll finish it in2.5 hours