Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2008

Producer Information

The estate was founded in 1689 by Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan and the vineyard acquired its name a few years later when his daughter Thérèse received it as part of her dowry on her marriage to Jacques de Pichon Longueville, the first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux. It was divided upon the death of Baron Joseph in 1850 between his five children. However, only two of his children finally inherited the vineyards; Raoul and Virginie. Virginie married Count Henri de Lalande, giving her the title, and took over control of the domain. Her passion and the quality of her management made her a strong personality in the Médoc and she very much left her mark on the domain. In the 1855 classification, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired the status of 2eme Cru Classé.

Vineyards

The 75 hectares (185 acres) of this vineyard border the property of Château Latour and stretch south of Pauillac towards the Commune of Saint Julien, whence it gets its extraordinary charm. The exceptional character of the wines produced here, are distinguished by their elegance and finesse.

Winemaking

The temperatures were carefully regulated during the fermentation and the maceration to obtain an aromatic and silky expression of the vintage. Overall, the alcohol-tannin-acid balance was excellent. Malolactic fermentation was minimal due to low temperatures. Maceration: 18 to 24 days.

Vintage Information

After a mild winter, March and April were cool and humid enough to cause a delayed budding – 10 days later than the previous year. The flowering period was not ideal, with cool temperatures and rain which resulted in some rot and mildew. Halfway through the period, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Petits Verdot were more developed than the Merlot. The summer did not bring much relief, and it was only thanks to a cool and sunny September with lots of wind that the grapes could start to properly ripen. 150 pickers split into two teams enabled an ideal selection of the grapes.

Tasting Note

Terrific texture and opulence, forward fruit, sweet tannin, and a lush personality are dense along with copious quantities of sweet berries, roasted coffee, underbrush, black currant, and black cherry fruit. Sensationally pure, textured, and full-bodied, this will be a flamboyant, showy offering in its youth, but it is capable of lasting 20-30 years.

Food Pairing

Lamb, red meats, cheese, truffle and chocolate.

Serving Suggestion

Serve at room temperature

Press

(94-96) Robert Parker – April 2009
(4.5 stars) Decanter – Panos Kakaviatos – September 2010
(96) The Wine Journal – Neil Martin – November 2010

AOC Pauillac, Bordeaux
63% Cabernet Sauvignon
29% Merlot
5% Petit Verdot
3% Cabernet Franc

Natural Cork
13%

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