2009 Ch Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2eme Cru, Pauillac

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!

97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown robertparker.com Mar 2019 Drink 2020-2053

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of Pauillac’s great love stories, elegant, aristocratic and quietly powerful. Classified as a Deuxième Cru in 1855, it sits just across the road from First Growth royalty, yet has always danced to its own tune, combining Pauillac structure with a sensuous, almost Margaux like grace.

The estate dates back to the late 17th century and takes its name from Virginie de Pichon Longueville, the Comtesse de Lalande, whose influence still echoes in the wine’s refined, perfumed style. Today the vineyards stretch across some of the finest gravelly soils in Pauillac, with parcels that brush right up against Château Latour. Deep Garonne gravels over clay give superb drainage and force the vines to dig deep, a classic Pauillac recipe for longevity and detail.

Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone, supported by a generous proportion of Merlot which is key to the Comtesse character, adding plushness, aromatic lift and a silky texture. Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot play subtle supporting roles, bringing spice and structure. In the cellar, everything is handled with precision, balancing modern polish with deep respect for tradition, so the wine carries power without ever feeling heavy.

In the glass, the wine opens with blackcurrant, cassis and dark cherry, layered with cedar, graphite, violets and subtle tobacco. The palate is poised and expansive, with fine grained tannins, seamless oak and a long, graceful finish that keeps unfolding rather than shouting. It is unmistakably Pauillac, yet always a touch more supple and seductive than many of its neighbours.

This is a wine built for the long haul. Young vintages benefit from decanting and robust dishes like roast lamb, beef Wellington or game, while mature bottles become magical alongside simpler fare that lets the wine take centre stage. Cellaring potential easily stretches two to three decades in strong years, rewarding patience with extraordinary complexity.