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.
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.
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.
The summer was a hot dry and sunny one, with minimal rain. Stress to the vines due to water deficit affected only a proportion of the crop, depending on grape variety, location and soil type. The resulting bunches had small berries that were packed with flavour and fruit concentration. This is a vintage of generous sunshine.
Opaquely purple in colour, the nose is loaded with floral, cassis, boysenberry, earth, olive and tobacco notes. Powerful, graceful, sensuous, rich, fresh, it is unusually full-bodied for a wine from this estate. It is pure, refined and offers silky, velvet textures.
Lamb, red meats, cheese, truffle and chocolate.
Serve at room temperature.
James Suckling 96
Robert Parker 96-98
Decanter 18.5
Wine Spectator 95-98
AOC Pauillac, Bordeaux
75% Cabernet Sauvignon
20% Merlot
5% Petit Verdot
Natural Cork
13.5%
