In the best years, it is one of the most exotic and voluptuously scented wines of the Médoc. Pichon-Longueville Lalande is not as powerful or as tannic as some its Pauillac neighbours and this is mainly because of its relatively high Merlot content. The wine is fermented in stainless steel cuvées and then matured in oak barriques (50% new) for 18 months. Located in the east of the Pauillac appellation, the vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 45%, Merlot 35%, Cabernet Franc 12%, Petit Verdot8%) lie on deep gravel beds underpinned by clay and then sandstone and limestone (part of these vineyards actually reside in the St-Julien appellation). Pichon-Longueville Lalande is a 75-hectare property that produces on average 36,000 cases per year. This is largely due to the energy, drive and ambition of May-Eliane de Lenquesaing, who took over the property in 1978. The layers offer excellent drainage in the relatively flat topography of the region allowing water to run off into “jalles” or streams, which subsequently flow off into the Gironde.Château Pichon-Longueville Lalande is one of the most important Super Seconds and this 2ème Cru Classé Pauillac estate has made tremendous strides in the last 20 years. Layers of gravel in the Pauillac region are key to its wines’ character and quality. Cabernet-based Bordeaux Blends) include inky and juicy blackcurrant, cedar or cigar box and plush or chalky tannins. Today producers such as Chateau Pontet-Canet, Chateau Grand Puy-Lacoste, Chateau Lynch-Bages, among others (all fifth growth) offer some of the most outstanding wines in all of Bordeaux.ĭefining characteristics of fine wines from Pauillac (i.e. ![]() The finest chateaux in that year were judged on the basis of reputation and trading price changes in rank since then have been miniscule at best. The Left Bank of Bordeaux subscribes to an arguably outdated method of classification that goes back to 1855. While the first growths are certainly some of the better producers of the Left Bank, today they often compete with some of the “lower ranked” producers (second, third, fourth, fifth growth) in quality and value. Estephe on its northern end and Chateau Latour is at Pauillac’s southern end, bordering St. Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild border St. The leader on the Left Bank in number of first growth classified producers within its boundaries, Pauillac has more than any of the other appellations, at three of the five. The international reputation of this "Super Second" Growth can be attributed to unfailing quality and dynamic owners. ![]() Traditional methods and modern technology combine to make the most of the estate's prestigious soil. The unusual choice of grape varieties (there is a much higher percentage of Merlot than average) is a partial explanation for this wine's outstanding personality, marked by elegance, balance and finesse. ![]() Bordering on Chateau Latour, Second Growth Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is located in the southern part of Pauillac, near Saint-Julien. Just two families have been responsible for maintaining this wine's superb reputation for three centuries. In 1978, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Edouard Miailhe, in turn inherited this beautiful property and devoted herself entirely to continuing the tradition of quality wine. This took on the name of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Countess de Lalande, and her two sisters inherited three-fifths of the vineyard from their father. The Pichon Longueville estate goes back to 1688-1689.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |