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Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2018
Perfect 100 points! Extremely limited Wine Spectator #2 Wine of 2021. 98 Points Wine Spectator: "Offers a deep well of dark currant, blackberry paste and plum preserves fruit that needs time to unwind fully, as it’s shrouded in warm earth, tobacco, singed cedar, sweet bay leaf and savory notes. A ramrod of graphite adds to the racy, structured feel. Best from 2030 through 2050." Owner Frédéric Rouzaud hired Nicolas Glumineau as general director in 2012, and this famed Bordeaux second-growth has been on an upward trajectory ever since. Glumineau has overseen a replanting program, increasing the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyards and shifting steadily to organic and biodynamic farming. A cellar renovation included new, smaller vats for a more exacting, parcel-by-parcel and even intra-parcel vinification process. The results show: In 2018, the estate hit the bar set by its acclaimed ’82 and ’59 vintages with its grand vin blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It’s a blue chip built for long cellar time.
Ratings on Delectable
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The 2018 Pichon-Lalande was given an hour’s decant and then observed over the next 24 hours. It has clearly retained the showstopping nose that I encountered from barrel, those same “gentle waves" of black cherries and blueberry, incense and violets lending it a Margaux-like allure. The palate is vibrant and full of tension from the start, the acidity slicing through the layers of quite plush black fruit, judiciously laced with tobacco and mint. There is a beguiling sense of harmony conveyed by this Pichon-Lalande and although there is clearly plenty of structure, the tannins are so pixelated and pliant that it might well be broachable in 4–5 years’ time. Personally, however, I would prefer to cellar it for 8–10 years (by which time I hope that the new Cure album is finally released). However long you decide to keep it tucked away, this is a quite brilliant Pauillac. (Neal Martin, Vinous. March 2021)
The 2018 Pichon-Lalande was given an hour’s decant and then observed over the next 24 hours. It has clearly retained the showstopping nose that I encountered from barrel, those same “gentle waves" of black cherries and blueberry, incense and violets lending it a Margaux-like allure. The palate is vibrant and full of tension from the start, the acidity slicing through the layers of quite plush black fruit, judiciously laced with tobacco and mint. There is a beguiling sense of harmony conveyed by this Pichon-Lalande and although there is clearly plenty of structure, the tannins are so pixelated and pliant that it might well be broachable in 4–5 years’ time. Personally, however, I would prefer to cellar it for 8–10 years (by which time I hope that the new Cure album is finally released). However long you decide to keep it tucked away, this is a quite brilliant Pauillac. (Neal Martin, Vinous. March 2021)
9.7
Charles Mires
Outstanding +. Bit tannic still but should turn into a great one.
Outstanding +. Bit tannic still but should turn into a great one.
9.6
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