Château Pichon Longueville - Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 2009

Located in Pauillac between top estates, Château Latour and Château Pichon Baron, Château Pichon-Lalande (shorthand for Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande) is a highly-regarded 2nd growth estate that Antonio Galloni describes as the “single hottest château on Bordeaux’s Left Bank right now.” Ranked as a 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification, Pichon-Lalande is today revered as a "Super Second" — a distinction accorded to those outperforming their historical ranking. The caliber of Pichon-Lalande is such that it is often regarded as near-equal to First Growth quality, contending closely with other highly-regarded estates such as St. Julien’s Léoville-Las Cases and St. Estèphe’s Cos d’Estournel. Since 2010, it has earned four perfect 100-point scores from top wine critics, showcasing its continued standing as a paragon of Bordeaux.

Situated directly adjacent to 1st Growth titan Château Latour, Pichon-Lalande shares prime real estate along the Gironde estuary, where "the best vines can see the river," according to an old Bordelais adage. The 20th-century vineyard expansion nearly doubled holdings, which today amount to 247-acres of land, which is divided into six blocks and 65 individual parcels.

Unusual for Pauillac, the deep gravel soils are planted to a comparatively high proportion of Merlot, with plantings amounting to 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Average vine age is around 40 years of age with some reaching past 90. Organic and biodynamic measures were put into place starting in 2014 with a full biodynamic conversion of vineyards culminating in Demeter-certification in 2021.

Following a parcel-by-parcel vinification carried out in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, the aging in barrels (including 60% new barrels) lasts 18 months.

"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!. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Issue date: March 2019. Drinking window: 2020 - 2053." - 97 Points, Wine Advocate

"In the same qualitative ballpark as the 2010, if not a step up, the 2009 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande nevertheless offers more immediate pleasure and opulence, with a gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, lead pencil, unsmoked tobacco, truffle, and spice box. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, this full-bodied, round, mouth-filling Pauillac has sweet tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs an hour or two in a decant today to drink brilliantly and will unquestionably evolve gracefully for another 20-25 years." - 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Pauillac

Vintage: 2009

Size: 750ml