This wine had been properly cellared since its purchase and the cork was in superb condition. Color is fading as expected with hints of brick on the edge - but still a nice garnet color for 32 years old. The wine had thrown almost no sediment - which was amazing. On the nose the initial aroma was some spice and "vegetal" notes - but both dissipated after some time in the decanter and glass. Medium-bodied mouth-feel with decent complexity and still good acidity on the tongue. In my opinion this wine has peaked and I do not believe that additional time in the cellar would be beneficial. Recommend drinking now. 91 points.
P.S. - tasted alongside an '81 Lafite Rothschild and I would give the nod to the Pichon (although both were quite enjoyable).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
35+ years in the bottle has lightened the color - but still a nice garnet with hints of bricking on the edges. Considerable sediment in the bottle as expected. Tannins are fully integrated and the wine presents itself with a fairly light mouthfeel (perhaps comparable to a pinot noir?) with very little astringency. Still retains decent acidity and the flavors are fairly muted overall with cherry and blackberry being the most dominant. Still drinking nicely - but I do not think it will benefit with any more cellar time. 90 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1985 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
12/1/2017 - lockwood Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine had been properly cellared since its purchase and the cork was in superb condition. Color is fading as expected with hints of brick on the edge - but still a nice garnet color for 32 years old. The wine had thrown almost no sediment - which was amazing. On the nose the initial aroma was some spice and "vegetal" notes - but both dissipated after some time in the decanter and glass. Medium-bodied mouth-feel with decent complexity and still good acidity on the tongue. In my opinion this wine has peaked and I do not believe that additional time in the cellar would be beneficial. Recommend drinking now. 91 points.
P.S. - tasted alongside an '81 Lafite Rothschild and I would give the nod to the Pichon (although both were quite enjoyable).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1981 Château Lafite Rothschild
12/1/2017 - lockwood Likes this wine: 90 Points
35+ years in the bottle has lightened the color - but still a nice garnet with hints of bricking on the edges. Considerable sediment in the bottle as expected. Tannins are fully integrated and the wine presents itself with a fairly light mouthfeel (perhaps comparable to a pinot noir?) with very little astringency. Still retains decent acidity and the flavors are fairly muted overall with cherry and blackberry being the most dominant. Still drinking nicely - but I do not think it will benefit with any more cellar time. 90 points.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment