Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse Lalande 2010
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a prestigious Second Cru Classé estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux with a lineage extending back to the 17th century, now owned by the Louis Roederer family. Its vineyards total over 100 hectares planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon then Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on deep, well draining gravel soils rich in iron and limestone, with a small holding in Saint Julien adding elegance. The estate has embraced sustainable and biodynamic practices in recent years. The 2010 vintage in Bordeaux was outstanding, marked by a warm ripening season that produced highly concentrated, balanced fruit with excellent ageing potential.
The Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2010 is a classic Bordeaux blend of approximately 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, hand harvested and matured for around 18-20 months in French oak barrels. It reveals deep blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, graphite and spice with refined tannins and lively acidity. Currently entering a rewarding drinking phase, it will continue to evolve for many years. Enjoy with roast lamb, prime rib or rich game. This wine has received multiple high scores in the 95-100 point range, praised for its depth, harmony and ageing potential.
"Silky, sweet black fruit, black olive and truffle notes from the start. This is majestically impressive - it sparks to life in your mouth and breaks out an involuntary smile. The texture is just liquid silk and it slowly but surely builds through the palate, gaining in confidence and totally delightful. Bright, vibrant tannins make the most of the high levels of acidity that were available in 2010, while matching them pace for pace with concentrated fruit. For me this is getting better as it ages, starting to rival the 1982 at Comtesse, and I can't wait to keep tasting it over the decades to come. Last time I rated this wine, in 2016, I gave it 98 points, and I questioned whether to keep it there, which is already an exceptional score, but I want to mark just how clearly it stood out in this horizontal. 60% new oak." Drinking Window 2022 - 2050. 100 Points. Jane Anson, Decanter.com, January 2020.