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.
The wine is fermented in stainless steel cuvées and then matured in oak barriques (50% new) for 18 months. 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). Pichon-Longueville Lalande is a 75-hectare property that produces on average 36,000 cases per year. James Laubé of the Wine Spectator baptised Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, "A First Class Second Cru", a most fitting tribute. The wine is seductive when young without prejudicing its longevity. In the palate, the tannins appear mature and melted, revealing a strong and affirmed structure, a surprising suppleness, perfect harmony and long persistency. The nose is distinguished by a bouquet of aromas, mixing blackcurrant and violet, vanilla and cinnamon. Complexity, elegance and longevity are the hallmarks of this race, they are found every year during the creation of the vintages. 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. 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 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. Nicolas Glumineau, formerly of Chateau Montrose, was appointed Director of the Château in 2013.Château Pichon Longueville de Lalande is ideally situated between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. New double-skinned temperature controlled stainless steel vats were also brought, allowing the Château to vinify on a parcel basis, as well as contributing to a softer, more gentle extraction for the most sensuous wine of Pauillac. Similarly, a targeted replanting programme for select vineyard parcels was also introduced, ensuring the best root stocks with the highest potential were planted in the correct soil types for each varietal. This is due to a harmonious balance of different grape varietals: the vineyards are made up of 35% Merlot (a very high percentage for this appellation) to give roundness and suppleness 45% Cabernet Sauvignon to provide longevity 12% Cabernet Franc for finesse 8% Petit Verdot to ensure a certain freshness and aromatic complexity.Ĭhampagne Louis Roederer’s on-going investment has seen the Château completely renovated, with the wine making facilities rebuilt and modernised, and the chais vastly extended in a long-term project, including a triple-tiered cellar. The exceptional character of the wines produced here is distinguished by their elegance and finesse. The 89 hectares (220 acres) of this vineyard border the property of Château Latour and stretch south of Pauillac towards the Commune of St Julien, whence it gets its extraordinary charm. She quickly rekindled the same enthusiasm that had inspired the Comtesse de Lalande, sharing with her a love of the land and its wines.Ĭontinuing the tradition of family ownership, Champagne Louis Roederer took over the controlling share of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in November 2006. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard, inherited it in 1978. In 1925 Edouard and Louis Miailhe purchased the estate. In the 1855 classification Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired the status of Deuxième Cru Classé. 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 estate. Virginie married Count Henri de Lalande, giving her the title Comtesse de Lalande, and took over control of the Domaine.
From then on, the lands of Pichon Longueville would have two very different futures. Raoul took the plot destined for the two sons, while Virginie took the plot for the three daughters. In 1850, the estate was divided amongst the five children of Baron Joseph, however only two of his children finally inherited the vineyards. Thus began the history of one of the most famous Bordeaux vineyards which, for one and half centuries, remained a single holding in the hands of one family. 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.
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