Bordeaux Shipers

(this general information is for Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de la Lalande)

‘Since the 1980s Pichon Lalande is consistently excellent and in some vintages of first-growth quality. Since they are priced well below the latter, they unquestionably represent good value. Moreover, Pichon-Lalande is generally long-lived and remarkably consistent, irrespective of vintage conditions.’ Robert Parker

‘Pichon Lalande are wines of intensity, splendid flair and elegance, richness and succulence.’ Clive Coates MW

Always a wine of great breed, a great new era began with the 1978 vintage. The outstanding energies of Madame de Lencquesaing has propelled Pichon-Lalande to take its place beside Leoville-Las-Cases, Ducru-Beaucaillou and Cos d’Estounel at the head of the second growths. David Peppercorn MW

http://www.pichon-lalanade.com/ – very interesting website.

2005 VINTAGE

2005 VINTAGE of Reserve de Comtesse
Wine Spectator Magazine (Rating 89)
Floral, blackberry and mineral on the nose. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty finish of mineral and fruit. Very reserved and refined for a second wine.

Why I selcted this wine
Notes from my blind tasting - good bold colour showing some signs of maturity on the nose (this was a half bottle tasting in Bordeaux in January). Rich, spicy very ripe stewed plums with nice fruit weight. Shows some glycerol and alcohol from the very ripe vintage but it is all in balance.

Provenance - a cold European cellar