Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend
Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.
I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.
The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.
Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.
Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.
@EK148
The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.
I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.
The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.
Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.
Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.
@EK148
I have never had a Comtesse before, but I hear it’s supposed to be a bit on the feminine side for a Pauillac. This one is not. Deep cedary, peanutty nose over dark cassis fruit and some pencil lead. Still some vigorous tannin and forceful acids on the palate, but the flavors are very deep. Long finish. Tremendous wine.
I have never had a Comtesse before, but I hear it’s supposed to be a bit on the feminine side for a Pauillac. This one is not. Deep cedary, peanutty nose over dark cassis fruit and some pencil lead. Still some vigorous tannin and forceful acids on the palate, but the flavors are very deep. Long finish. Tremendous wine.
Sep 3rd, 2022
The 2006 Pichon is a big wine. Leather, pepper, dark cherries, plum. Soft velvet texture. Gorgeous.
The 2006 Pichon is a big wine. Leather, pepper, dark cherries, plum. Soft velvet texture. Gorgeous.
Nov 10th, 2018
Despite this Chateau changing hands many times the wine still remains a contender. Black in the glass, shows heavy extraction. Sweet black fruits on the nose...light and sweet on the palate tannins integrate nicely. Drinking well.
Despite this Chateau changing hands many times the wine still remains a contender. Black in the glass, shows heavy extraction. Sweet black fruits on the nose...light and sweet on the palate tannins integrate nicely. Drinking well.
1 person found it helpfulAug 4th, 2018
One of the most pleasant and unexpected surprises in this tasting, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is gorgeous, which is something I can’t say about too many wines in a vintage marked by climatic ups and downs and irregular ripening. Dark, powerful and intense, the 2006 possesses exceptional balance. A host of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and menthol flesh out in this decidedly somber, virile Pichon Lalande. In a vintage in which so many wines are so rustic, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is all class. This sleeper Pichon Lalande will drink well for at least the next two decades, perhaps longer. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Oct 2017)
One of the most pleasant and unexpected surprises in this tasting, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is gorgeous, which is something I can’t say about too many wines in a vintage marked by climatic ups and downs and irregular ripening. Dark, powerful and intense, the 2006 possesses exceptional balance. A host of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and menthol flesh out in this decidedly somber, virile Pichon Lalande. In a vintage in which so many wines are so rustic, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is all class. This sleeper Pichon Lalande will drink well for at least the next two decades, perhaps longer. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Oct 2017)
1 person found it helpfulFeb 16th, 20182006 here- I saw it as a bit older than others in the class with a slight stewed and dried fruit character in the mix as well as some mahogany, Dutch liquorice, mint and toasted oak too. Tannins still quite chewy, with the acid when settled in the wine. Plenty of flavour intensity and finish here.
2006 here- I saw it as a bit older than others in the class with a slight stewed and dried fruit character in the mix as well as some mahogany, Dutch liquorice, mint and toasted oak too. Tannins still quite chewy, with the acid when settled in the wine. Plenty of flavour intensity and finish here.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 10th, 2018Drinking nicely. Bright mid red fruits with good evolution already.
Drinking nicely. Bright mid red fruits with good evolution already.
1 person found it helpfulApr 26th, 2016
Laurel, cooked plums,rich nose, good balance, cacao, everything's right, refinement and complexity
Laurel, cooked plums,rich nose, good balance, cacao, everything's right, refinement and complexity
1 person found it helpfulDec 15th, 2015
Pich posh.. So dark and lovely.. Polished tannins.. Showing well but would love to see this in another 5-10 years
Pich posh.. So dark and lovely.. Polished tannins.. Showing well but would love to see this in another 5-10 years
1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2015Gotta love corporate Tasting at @Champagne Louis Roederer today! #Champagne #Harvesttrip
Gotta love corporate Tasting at @Champagne Louis Roederer today! #Champagne #Harvesttrip
1 person found it helpfulSep 3rd, 2014