Château Pichon-Longueville (CHÂTEAU PICHON-LONGUEVILLE COMTESSE DE LALANDE)

Pauillac 2010

Traditionally, Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is more restrained than many of its neighbouring estates, but 2010 has conspired to produce a wine of depth, architecture and immense power - a wine sourced from gravel soils with clay, limestone and sandstone present in the vineyard composition over 75 hectares. The wine is usually higher in Merlot (24%) and shows firm tannin structure from the 66% inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Initially fermented in stainless steel, the wine spends 18 months in 50% new oak for character. Many will say this is a departure from style, but the vintage has created an opportunity to see a more stoic personality, and the need for some maturity before approaching.