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  • Country ranking ?

    1 143
  • Producer ranking ?

    28
  • Decanting time

    1h
  • When to drink

    Now
  • Food Pairing

    Beef

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The Story

Château Pichon Longueville de Lalande is ideally situated between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. The variety of parcels of land, due to the elements of the earth and their encepagement explains the complexity of the personality of the wines of Pichon. Since the end of the 1970's, the reputation of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has acquired the status of a "super second" and a "nearly first", in light of the consistency of its quality.

The unique encepagement and the twelve hectares of vines situated on the soils of St Julien endow the wines of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande with an exceptional personality compared with the other crus of the Pauillac appellation. Complexity, elegance and longevity are the hallmarks of this race, they are found every year during the creation of the vintages..

The nose is distinguished by a bouquet of aromas, mixing blackcurrant and violet, vanilla and cinnamon. In the palate, the tannins appear mature and melted, revealing a strong and affirmed structure, a surprising suppleness, perfect harmony and long persistency. The wine is seductive when young without prejudicing its longevity. James Laubé of the Wine Spectator baptised Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, "A First Class Second Cru", a most fitting tribute...

 

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 neighbours 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. At least a decade of cellaring is required before the wines should be approached.

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Wine Information

1988
A richly flavoured wine with considerable freshness, supported by a silky and elegant structure. A classic Pauillac.
Assemblage:

45% Cabernet Sauvignon
35% Merlot
12% Cabernet Franc
8% Petit Verdot
Hiver:

Mild, almost too warm and rainy.
Printemps:

Very rainy. Two enormous storms with hail at the end of June.
Flowering was very drawn out: June 6th to 27th
Été:

August was hot and sunny.
Mid point of changing colour: August 17th
Automne:

High temperatures. A good amount of sunshine, with some weak drizzle. Excellent level of maturity in the grapes.
Harvest: from October 1st to 15th

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Vintage 1988

The first of a trio of great vintages and which was rather overshadowed by the 89s and 90s. Certainly the most "classic" of the trio, with many wines which are not overtly fruit-focused, but which have levels of extract and concentration which make them perfect candidates for prolonged storage.

The first half of the year was exceptionally cold and wet and the vintage was saved by a long, dry and hot summer. Harvest began in mid-September and some cabernets were not picked until the 3rd week of October. Most wines are now approaching their plateau of maturity, with the choice of the bunch being the Cabernet-dominated Médocs and Graves. Pauillac was particularly successful.

 

 

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Tasting note

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Written Notes

Tasted in February 2018. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot. At almost 30 years of age, this wine is still going strong with fabulous nose of truffles and tobacco leaf, elegant and rich on the palate with great distinction of Pauillac terroir. Great wine and a clear proof that Bordeaux wines age really beautifully and gracefully!

  • 95p
Ruby with garnet rim, leather, cassis, cigars, touch of prunes, bell peppers, hugely complex, gorgeous nose. Fantastic texture, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, maturing beautifully, great balance, pure and elegant, marvelously seductive. As I've said before, I drink way too little from this estate. 95
  • 95p
Youthful colour. Fresh. The Tannins are now softening showing a spicy, exciting wine. Excellent. Will Age well.
  • 94p
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Origin

Pauillac, Bordeaux
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