Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2020

A balanced and aromatic red wine from Pauillac

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, represented by 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, when the estate was acquired by the Rouzaud family, owners of the Champagne House Louis Roederer.

The vineyard

Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande covers 92 hectares, 72 of which are in production. The soils, composed of gravelly mounds on sandy-clay subsoils, benefit the vines, which are on average 30 years old. This large Pauillac vineyard is managed using sustainable viticulture practices, with biodynamic practices on 32 hectares.

The vintage

While the mild winter favored early bud break, the months of April and May were warm and marked by very heavy rainfall. These conditions did not impact the flowering, which was early and quick. A cool and rather rainy June was followed by a hot and dry summer. The rains in August were beneficial for maturation and prevented water stress. The harvested grapes are of very high quality.

Vinification and aging

Parcel vinification. Gravity-fed vatting. Double-walled, thermo-regulated truncated vats. Aging for 12 months in barrels (40% new) with medium long heating. Traditional racking by candlelight.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (77%)
Merlot (17%)
Cabernet Franc (6%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2020

Tasting

Nose
Frank and of beautiful purity, the nose combines fragrances of blackberry, blackcurrant and peony with delicious cedar notes typical of the appellation.

Palate
Of beautiful elegance, the palate seduces with its perfect balance between power, length, breadth and a tasty touch. Flavors of blackcurrant and blackberry envelop the palate, whose chiseled tannic structure combines precision and sapidity with delight.