Chateau Pichon Longueville 'Comtesse de Lalande' Pauillac Grand Cru Classe 2009
(Bordeaux, France) - [WA 97+] [TWI 97+] [DM 97] [WE 95] [JD 95] [JS 94+] [VM 94]

About this Wine:
The story of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of aristocratic heritage, vision, and enduring excellence. The estate traces its origins to the late 17th century, when Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan, a key figure in Bordeaux’s winemaking history, acquired the land and laid the foundation for what would become one of Pauillac’s most esteemed properties. In 1850, the estate was divided, creating two separate yet equally prestigious châteaux: Pichon Baron and Pichon Comtesse de Lalande. The latter was inherited by Virginie de Pichon Longueville, the Comtesse de Lalande, whose name and legacy continue to define the château’s identity. Under her leadership, the estate gained a reputation for crafting wines of remarkable finesse and longevity, a tradition that persists to this day.

The estate flourished under the ownership of the Miailhe family in the 20th century, particularly under the stewardship of the legendary May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, who modernized the winery while preserving its time-honored traditions. In 2007, the Rouzaud family, owners of Louis Roederer Champagne, acquired the château, ushering in a new era of investment and refinement.

Pichon-Longueville Lalande is a 75-hectare property that produces on average 36,000 cases per year. Located in the east of the Pauillac appellation, the vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot 8%) lie on deep gravel beds underpinned by clay and then sandstone and limestone (part of these vineyards actually reside in the St-Julien appellation). The wine is fermented in stainless steel cuvées and then matured in oak barriques (50% new) for 18 months.

Pichon-Longueville Lalande is not as powerful or as tannic as some its Pauillac neighbors and this is mainly because of its relatively high Merlot content. In the best years, it is one of the most exotic and voluptuously scented wines of the Médoc.

Ratings & Reviews

97+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"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!" - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Mar 2019)

97+ Points - The Wine Independent:
"A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot but without any Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Pichon Lalande has a deep garnet-brick color. It charges out with vibrant notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie, and redcurrant jelly, followed by flamboyant suggestions of dried roses, cardamom, fragrant earth, and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is rich and impactful, featuring fantastically plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Absolutely scrumptious right now, it has a good 20-25 years of cellaring potential left, and I suspect there is way more gravitas in the pipeline." - LPB (Nov 2022)

97 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A beautifully ripe, intense and concentrated red and black fruit aroma leads to a palate that's still closed, but those damson fruits are well brushed and of serious quality. This is going beat for beat with the top level wines in 2009 and it's utterly brilliant, delivering juice, minerality, power, balance, silky tannins, definition and sheer enjoyment." - Jane Anson (Feb 2019)

95 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
"A seductive wine, deliciously ripe with the softest, juiciest fruit over smoky new wood. The wine shows intense fruit as well as a soft Merlot core. The tannins are beautifully integrated in this ripely sweet wine." - Roger Voss (Feb 2012)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"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. (Drink between 2022-2047)." (Mar 2022)

94+ Points - James Suckling:
"What a nose of dried spices, even chilies, with currants and blackberries. Full bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and a compacted fruit structure. Pretty length. Very fine indeed. Classic nose with the Petit Verdot spice. Try after 2019.

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"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. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting." - Neal Martin (Mar 2019)