Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2017

Pichon Longueville's history can be traced back to 1688-1689. In 1850, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, and her two sisters inherited three fifths of the vineyard that was named Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande a few years later. In 1978, May-Éliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Édouard Miailhe, in turn inherited this fine estate and became totally devoted to it. She was largely responsible for maintaining the wine's superb quality and fine international reputation. A neighbour of Château Latour, this second growth Pauillac borders on the Saint-Julien appellation. Its unusual blend of grape varieties gives the wine a unique personality whose hallmarks are elegance, balance, and finesse. Traditional and modern techniques complement one another to express the character of the prestigious terroir. The Champagne firm of Louis Roederer acquired this great growth in January 2007. They aim to perpetuate the excellent work done by their predecessor and to attain the ultimate in quality and prestige.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
This barrel sample is 100% new oak, whereas the final blend will be only 60% new oak. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is very deep garnet-purple in color with an incredibly fragrant nose of roses, lavender and baking spices over a core of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and fresh plums plus touches of iron ore and underbrush. Medium-bodied and elegant with firm, grainy tannins, it's quite taut and muscular, with lots of perfumed and mineral layers and a long finish with lingering cinnamon and anise notes.