Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
シャトー・ピション・ロングヴィル・コンテス・ド・ラランド
Pauillac's 'iron fist in a velvet glove'—elegant power, biodynamic
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a legendary 1855 Second Growth (Deuxième Grand Cru Classé) estate in Pauillac, Médoc, consistently ranked among Bordeaux's finest 'Super Seconds.' Founded in 1694 when Thérèse de Rauzan brought the vineyard as her dowry upon marrying Baron Jacques de Pichon Longueville, the estate took its current form in 1850 when Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville's heirs divided the property. The portion inherited by his three daughters—including Virginie, Comtesse de Lalande—became the present château. The 102-hectare estate was acquired by Champagne Louis Roederer (Rouzaud family) in 2007, prompting a $15 million modernization investment including a gravity-fed winery and underground cellar completed in 2012. Under director-general Nicolas Glumineau (appointed 2012), the estate converted to full organic and biodynamic farming, achieving Demeter certification in 2021. The vineyard blend targets 45–60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29–35% Merlot, 7–12% Cabernet Franc, and 4–8% Petit Verdot. The wine is celebrated for its 'iron fist in a velvet glove' character—powerful structure combined with silky, feminine elegance. Second wine: Pichon Comtesse Réserve (formerly Réserve de la Comtesse, produced since 1973).
www.pichon-comtesse.com ↗Cuvées
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Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Cabernet Franc · Petit Verdot
The Grand Vin of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend with significant Merlot, aged 18 months in 50% new oak barrels. The wine is famous for its unparalleled elegance among Pauillac classified growths, combining the appellation's power with a silky refinement that rivals the greatest estates of Pomerol and Saint-Julien.
レゼルヴ・ド・ラ・コンテス
Réserve de la Comtesse
RedCabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Petit Verdot · Cabernet Franc
Réserve de la Comtesse is the second wine of the prestigious Second Growth Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. Crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as the Grand Vin, it is sourced from younger vines within the estate's exceptional vineyard plots. This wine typically offers a more approachable and supple profile in its youth compared to the flagship label, while still maintaining the classic Pauillac elegance, structural integrity, and aromatic complexity. It is renowned for its silky tannins, refined fruit expression, and the signature feminine grace that defines the Pichon Comtesse style.
Who Is This For?
Wine collectors and Bordeaux enthusiasts who appreciate elegance with structure; also ideal for those seeking a more approachable alternative to first growths without sacrificing complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Pichon Lalande's wine style?
- The wine is described as 'an iron fist in a velvet glove'—powerful structure and age-worthy tannins wrapped in silky, sensuous texture with blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, and cedar aromatics.
- How does Pichon Lalande differ from Pichon Baron across the road?
- Pichon Lalande has a higher proportion of Merlot (around 30–35%) versus Pichon Baron's more Cabernet-dominant blend, resulting in a more supple, feminine style with less new oak and a charming elegance alongside Pauillac's power.
- When should I drink Pichon Lalande?
- Great vintages (2009, 2010, 2016) benefit from 10–15 years of cellaring and can evolve beautifully for 30+ years; lighter vintages are enjoyable after 5–8 years.
- Is Pichon Lalande certified organic or biodynamic?
- Yes. The estate achieved full Demeter biodynamic certification in 2021 under director Nicolas Glumineau, following a conversion that began in 2014.
- What is the second wine of Pichon Lalande?
- The second wine is Pichon Comtesse Réserve (formerly Réserve de la Comtesse), produced since 1973—one of Bordeaux's earliest second wines, offering similar elegance at a more accessible price.