2008 Ch Pichon Lalande 2ème Cru Pauillac

Tasting Notes

Goedhuis, April 2009, Score: 90-92: An impressive Pichon that is more "Pauillac" than recent vintages due to the strength of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2008. It offers a core of ripe, velvety fruit which is buttressed by lots of structure, precision and power. This is one to watch.
Robert Parker, April 2009, Score: 94-96: The 2008 Pichon Lalande's final blend was 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Only 38% of the crop made it into the grand vin, and the result is a wine that blows away the 2005. Terrific texture and opulence, forward fruit, sweet tannin, and a lush personality are found in this dense purple-colored 2008 along with copious quantities of sweet berries, roasted coffee, underbrush, black currant, and black cherry fruit. Sensationally pure, textured, and full-bodied, this will be a flamboyant, showy offering in its youth, but it is capable of lasting 20-30 years. This is another top estate with very low yields (42 hectoliters per hectare) that achieved an atypically high alcohol level of 13%. Drink: 2009 - 2039
Jancis Robinson, April 2009, Score: 17.5: Dense crimson with a slightly weak rim. Scented, aromatic. Just 29% Merlot but this seems very fleshy and seductive. Not the firmest 2008 though there were dry tannins on the finish. A little lighter than some - a rather different, less dense wine than some more ambitious 2008 Pauillacs - but should give lots of pleasure. Very rich and round and flattering. There is ripeness and real charm here too. Impressive length.
Wine Spectator, April 2009, Score: 89-92: Currant, mint and prune, with hints of wet earth. Full and velvety, with lots of fruit and silky, firm tannins. Long finish. Very pretty.

Pauillac

Due south of St Estèphe lies Pauillac, the king of Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Its renowned well-draining, gravelly soils enable its dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration. As a result, the wines tend to be full-bodied with compact tannins and good freshness. Its aromatics are often what one associates with classic Bordeaux: pencil shavings, black currant and occasional mint. Some of the most famous châteaux of the commune are Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages.

Château Pichon Longueville …

This estate was once merged with neighbouring Pichon Baron to form a much larger domaine. Due to inheritance problems, it was split in 1850 between only two children - one being Virginie de Lalande née de Pichon Longueville. The Lalande family sold the property in 1925 to Edouard and Louis de Miailhe. It remained in their family until Edouard's daughter, May Eliane de Lencquesaing, sold it earlier this year to Louis Roederer.

Cab. Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Cab. Franc/ Petit Verdot

Probably the best grape blend in the world? Certainly that favoured by many of the most illustrious names on the left bank in Bordeaux - Chateaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild to name a few - and other cult classic from around the world such as Ornellaia, Harlan and Dominus. A spread of grape varieties provides numerous benefits - from a practical perspective a range of ripening dates provides insurance against all but the most prolonged bad weather conditions, while their complimentary characteristics combine to create a whole that is very much greater than the sum of the parts.