Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Grand Cru Classe 2009

Description

« A First Class Second Cru » was how the Wine Spectator magazine very aptly described Château Pichon Lalande! The latter was created as a result of the splitting of the original Château Pichon Longueville in 1850 when the owner established his children's inheritance: his son took charge of the current Pichon Longueville Baron, while his daughter, Virginie, who was married to the Comte de Lalande, received the other part of the property, hence the addition of “Comtesse de Lalande”. A determined figure with a passion for wine, Virginie oversaw the property's rise and its establishment in its own right. It remained within her family until 1925, when it was purchased by Edouard and Louis Miailhe.From 1978 to 2007 the domaine was managed by another grande dame: Edouard Miailhe's daughter, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing. Grand Chancellor of Bordeaux's Wine Academy, she was known as La Générale, thanks to her husband's military career. The feminine influence of the Comtesse a century earlier could not have found a finer echo, and Pichon Lalande's impassioned history is reflected in the special affection that connoisseurs have always had for the château's wines. The property was purchased by the Rouzaud family in 2007, the owners, among other interests, of Roederer champagne.

Of the property's 75 hectares, 11 are in the commune of Saint Julien, giving the wines a certain elegance, uncommon for Pauillac. In addition to the predominant Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives the wines a great capacity to age, there is also a high proportion of Merlot, giving them a remarkable suppleness especially when young. The grand vin of Pichon Comtesse thus exquisitely marries the concentration of a Pauillac with very distinct tannins. Its exceptional terroir overlooking the Gironde means it can effectively resist harsh winters and overly warm summers. In the closed circle of the finest Bordeaux. To be sampled after 10 to 30 years.

Grape Varieties 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot

Award and Rating

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate 97+/100

Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little reticent to begin, slowly giving way to notions of warm black cherries, blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and sautéed herbs with hints of damp soil, tobacco and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness making for a long, lively finish. Classic! 2020-2053

Neal Martin, Vinous.com 94/20

The 2009 Pichon-Lalande offers copious scents of boysenberry, cassis and blue fruit on the nose, a little smudged compared to the Pichon Baron but very pure. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very rounded in the mouth thanks to the precocious Merlot content, sage and orange rind developing towards the caressing finish. A very sensual Pichon-Lalande, tempting. A great wine although the 2010 has the upper hand. 2022 - 2040