2016 Château Pichon Lalande
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a slight animal fur scent on the nose, though there is plenty of pleasant black fruit behind it. Given time in the glass, it becomes more and more refined, more floral and almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fine grip, quite saline, with a judicious touch of freshly rolled tobacco towards the finish. There is a very satisfying crescendo here. A great Pauillac, albeit one that seems to have “firmed up” in recent months, as proven by another bottle opened at the property during en primeur. Give it a two- to three-hour decant if serving now. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
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Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Black currants and earth on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that are polished yet still assertive. Very layered, with youthful, elegant dark fruit. This will benefit from more time in the bottle. Approachable now for its freshness, but with a long life ahead. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
One of the greatest wines that this estate has produced in the modern era, the 2016 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant classic that no Bordeaux lover is going to want to do without. Mingling aromas of cassis and plums with notions of licorice, sweet tobacco leaf, rich soil tones, licorice, cigar smoke and violets, it's full-bodied, seamless and complete, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Standing out for its unerring precision, impeccable balance and ineffable sense of completeness, it should prove almost immortal.