Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2022

The fullness and fruity framework of a Pauillac red wine

The estate

The beautiful Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac Second Grand Cru Classé, shines in the Pauillac appellation.

The Miailhe family, led by Edouard and Louis Miailhe, acquired this estate on Bordeaux's Left Bank in 1925. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, daughter of Edouard Miailhe and a leading figure in Gironde winegrowing, ran Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from 1978 until 2007, when the estate was acquired by the Rouzaud family, owners of Louis Roederer Champagne.

The vineyard

Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande owns 102 hectares, 80 of which are in production. The soils are composed of gravelly hilltops on a sandy-clay subsoil, benefiting vines that are 28 years old on average. This great Pauillac vineyard is managed using integrated viticulture with biodynamic practices on 32 hectares.

The vintage

A mild, dry winter, particularly in February and March, with temperatures above seasonal norms, encouraged a relatively early budburst in early April. Thanks to its location close to the estuary and the resources deployed by the teams, the vineyard was not affected by several nights of frost. A dry, warm spring followed, leading to flowering at the end of May under optimum health conditions. June was very unstable and rainy, followed by violent hailstorms. Drought and heatwave set in during July. Despite these extreme conditions, the grapes ripened well ahead of schedule. The thunderstorms that occurred during the summer restored the vineyard, allowing the grapes to perfect their ripening.

Winemaking and ageing

Vinification by plot. Gravity-fed vats. Double-walled, temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Aged in barrels for 18 months (60% new) with medium toasting. Traditional racking.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (78%)
Merlot (17%)
Cabernet Franc (5%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2022

Tasting

Nose
With a rare depth, the nose combines a fruity bouquet (raspberry, blackcurrant) with fragrances of rosewood and red rose.

Palate
A generous and delightful palate presents notes of blackcurrant and morello cherry that are both crunchy and gourmet. Its beautiful finish expresses the finesse of its smooth and silky tannins.