The Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande: a Pauillac gem

The Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is an illustrious name in Bordeaux, synonymous with elegance, complexity, and longevity. Located in Pauillac, this Second Grand Cru Classé enjoys a worldwide reputation. Let’s delve into the history and secrets of this exceptional wine estate.

A Rich Family History: Origins and Division of the Estate

The history of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deeply intertwined with the Pichon Longueville family. The original estate, the vast “Pichon Longueville,” was established in the 17th century by Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. It was then passed down to his daughter, Thérèse de Rauzan, who married Jacques de Pichon Longueville, thus giving the estate its name.

Why the name “Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande” and what’s the difference with Château Pichon Longueville Baron?

In 1850, the estate was divided among the heirs of Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. The share going to his three daughters, including Virginie de Pichon Longueville, wife of Count Henri de Lalande, became Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The other part was attributed to his son, Baron Raoul, and gave birth to Château Pichon Longueville Baron. It is this historical split that explains the full name and the familial link between the two châteaux.

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was a pioneer, notably being one of the first, in the early 20th century, to bottle a portion of its production at the château. After several changes of ownership, it was acquired in 2007 by the Champagne House Louis Roederer, which continues the legacy of excellence of Madame May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, an iconic figure of the estate for over 30 years.

The unique terroir and atypical grape blend of the château

The vineyard of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande spans approximately 89 hectares. It benefits from an exceptional terroir of deep gravel, typical of the Pauillac appellation, which ensures excellent drainage and optimal heat retention. The proximity of the Gironde river plays a crucial role in tempering the climate and protecting the vines from frost.

The grape varietal blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (around 45%), the emblematic grape of the Médoc. What particularly distinguishes Pichon Comtesse is the significant proportion of Merlot (around 35%), a less common characteristic in Pauillac. Merlot brings roundness, suppleness, and a touch of sensuality to the wines. Cabernet Franc (around 12%) and Petit Verdot (around 8%) complete the blend, adding aromatic complexity and structure.

Wines of Elegance: Characteristics and Elaboration

Discovering the wines of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Vineyard Work: Environmentally friendly viticultural practices, including leaf thinning, cluster thinning, and green harvesting, ensure optimal grape concentration.
Harvest: Manual and plot by plot, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard and in the cellar.
Winemaking: Performed in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks, each plot is vinified separately to preserve its terroir. Extraction is gentle and controlled.
Aging: The wines age in French oak barrels (approximately 50-60% new wood) for 18 to 20 months, which refines the tannins and develops aromatic complexity.
Blending: The cellar master and the oenologist select and combine the best batches to create the final blend.
Bottling: Performed at the château, without excessive fining or filtration, to preserve the wine’s integrity.

pichon comtesse 1996 — Pichon Comtesse 1996

The estate also produces a second wine, “Réserve de la Comtesse,” offering a more accessible and fruitier expression of the terroir.

Exceptional Vintages of Pichon Comtesse de Lalande

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is known for its consistency, producing high-quality wines even in more challenging years. However, certain vintages stand out for their excellence and exceptional aging potential.

Among the legendary vintages with very long aging potential, we find:

Pichon Comtesse 1982
Pichon Comtesse 1996
Pichon Comtesse 2000
Pichon Comtesse 2005
Pichon Comtesse 2009
Pichon Comtesse 2010
Pichon Comtesse 2016
Pichon Comtesse 2018
Pichon Comtesse 2019
Pichon Comtesse 2020

The great vintages, also excellent and can be enjoyed with a bit less patience, include:

1983, 1989, 1990, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2017.

Even the less celebrated vintages of Pichon Comtesse often offer remarkable quality, testifying to the estate’s expertise and the richness of its terroir.

See all Pichon Comtesse vintages in stock

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande truly represents the excellence of Bordeaux wines, a rich family heritage, and a relentless pursuit of perfection found in every bottle, offering an unforgettable experience to enthusiasts worldwide.