-
1996 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (2/4/2012)
From a half-bottle. Popped and poured at Girardi’s Osteria. Garnet-purple color. Nose of cedar, menthol, pine forest, tobacco, and black currant. Captivating flavors of smoky dark berry, cassis, leather, and currant layered with a deep herbal note transitioning to tobacco thankfully instead of green pepper. Acidity still youthfully prominent, tannins structured but beginning to soften. Lots of sweet grip and a bit of mineral on the long, flavorful finish. Beautiful showing for this wine, which will undoubtedly develop even more complexity with time. (93 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Love this wine. Thanks for the note!
Paul,
Appreciate the reply. I think this wine has definitely turned the corner.
Cheers,
Doug
I was quite impressed by this at a pichon bi-vertical we did last year. Tremendous upside IMO.
Thanks for the note Doug.
I love this wine! It’s everything I want in a Pichon Lalande. It drinks great today and will only get better with more time.
Every time I read a note like this I’m reminded I don’t drink enough Bdx.
And when i do they are usually too young.
Nice one, Doug.
Faryan,
That vertical must have been awesome. I agree, the wine can only improve.
Jeff,
Agree, P-L really hit it out of the park in 1996, as did many left bank producers. I have more of the 1995, which I have not tried, but I suspect that the 1996 is superior, or perhaps accessible earlier.
Dennis,
I’ve checked in with my cellared Bordeaux from time to time, most being too young as you say, but I’m begnning to see some maturity develop, as per this bottle. Most have been half-bottles lately.
Cheers,
Doug