Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2022

The amplitude and fruity structure of a Pauillac red wine

The property

Second Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, the magnificent Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande shines in the Pauillac appellation.

It was in 1925 that the Miailhe family, under the guise of Édouard and Louis Miailhe, acquired this property on the left bank of Bordeaux. An emblematic figure of Gironde viticulture, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Edouard Miailhe, managed Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from 1978 to 2007, the date of the estate's acquisition by the Rouzaud family, owners of the Champagne House Louis Roederer.

The vineyard

Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande represents 102 hectares, 80 of which are in production. The soils, composed of gravelly hills on sandy-clay subsoils, benefit the vines, which are on average 28 years old. This large Pauillac vineyard is managed using sustainable viticulture practices, with biodynamic practices on 32 hectares.

The vintage

A rather mild and dry winter, especially towards the months of February and March, with temperatures above seasonal norms, favors a relatively early bud break in early April. Thanks to its geographical location near the estuary and the efforts of the teams, the vineyard is not affected by several nights of frost. This is followed by a dry and warm spring, leading to flowering at the end of May under optimal sanitary conditions. The month of June is very unstable and rainy, followed by violent hailstorms. Drought and heatwave set in in July. Despite these extreme conditions, veraison is advanced. The storms recorded during the summer are salvatory, allowing the grapes to perfect their maturation nonetheless.

Vinification and aging

Parcel vinification. Gravity-fed vatting. Double-walled, thermo-regulated stainless steel truncated vats. Aging for 18 months in barrels (60% new) with medium long heating. Traditional racking by candlelight.

Blend

Cabernet sauvignon (78%)
Merlot (17%)
Cabernet franc (5%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2022

Tasting

Nose
Of rare depth, the nose combines a fruity bouquet (raspberry, blackcurrant), with fragrances of rosewood and red rose.

Palate
A generous and seductive palate with notes of blackcurrant and cherry, both crunchy and indulgent. Its beautiful finish is expressed by the finesse of creamy and silky tannins.