“Under Nicolas Glumineau, this Pauillac estate is really beginning to ‘motor,’” the Advocate writes, putting it “within touching distance of the First Growths.” With the most recent 20 vintages earning 93-95 and 95-97 points from Parker, we smell a price hike coming. Robert Parker and then his Bordeaux protégé, Neil Martin, have written in The Wine Advocate about the ascendance of Cabernet in the blend, with “very expressive” Cabernet “in the driving seat” of recent vintages. ![]() Little by little, Cabernet Sauvignon has become the more dominant varietal in what was historically a Merlot-heavy blend. But we’re not the only ones paying attention. In the years since the Rouzauds assumed ownership, we’ve noticed a remarkable change in the texture of Pichon Lalande. Such faith was justified when the Rouzauds installed the former director of the top-performing Château Montrose, Nicolas Glumineau, as general manager - and the scores have been steadily climbing. She knew the property would remain in good hands, and cited the Rouzauds’ knowledge of the wine industry in choosing them over another potential buyer. In 2007, de Lencquesaing sold her beloved domain to the Rouzauds, owners of Louis Roederer and its prestige cuvée, Cristal. It was on her watch that Pichon Lalande achieved its global acclaim, including Parker’s 100-point pinnacle for the 1982. Edouard Miailhe’s daughter, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the wife of a general in the French army, took charge in 1978. Pichon Lalande remained in Virginie’s family until 1925, when it was bought by the Miailhe brothers, descendants of well-known Médoc producers. Virginie, the beautiful wife of the Henri Comte Raymonde de Lalande, outlived her sisters Gabrielle and Sophie, a talented painter and poet, and their combined estate created what’s come to be called Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. His eldest son, Raoul, inherited what we’ve come to know as Pichon-Longueville Baron, whereas the Baron’s daughters inherited the remainder. Shortly before the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, Jacques Pichon Baron de Longueville died and his domain was divided among his heirs. Wine Spectator called Pichon-Lalande “one of the Left Bank’s top performers,” one worthy of a true “super second.” It reached the zenith in Parker’s historic reviews of the estate’s remarkable 1982, “unquestionably the finest Pichon Lalande I have ever tasted” and “one of the monumental wines” of the 20th century, earning a perfect 100 points from the world’s most influential wine critic on multiple occasions. If you’ve been following the surging market, you’re probably familiar with the story behind Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - it’s a good one. ![]() So take note: There just aren’t many of these bargains to found anymore. Savvy Bordeaux collectors have let us know that our efforts to secure these rare prized bottles at a discount are not in vain. It has a seductive, seamless profile that offers pleasure even today (although it needs lots of air to show at its best) yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age to hit the early stages of its prime drink window and will evolve for another 40-50 years if stored properly.Cabernet takes the wheel in this “Super Second”Įver since Robert Parker rocked the wine industry by announcing that he’d no longer be tasting young Bordeaux at the spring barrel-tastings, prices for the fabulous 20 vintages have skyrocketed. It builds slowly with time in the glass and has remarkable purity of fruit, ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a finish that just begs you to pour another glass. Deep, full-bodied, and pure perfection on the palate, it has this incredible marriage of Latour-like stature and regalness buffered by wonderful, sexy, seamless fruit, which no doubt comes from the higher Merlot content and makes Comtesse de Lalande so singular and unique. More elegant and poised from bottle than barrel, it offers a brilliant perfume of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, damp earth, and graphite. Brought up in roughly 60% new French oak, it hit 14.1% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was harvested from mid-September through October 8th. Pure class, the 2019 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is another brilliant wine from director Nicolas Glumineau that checks in at the top of the vintage.
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