Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande – 1983

The Pichon Longueville Comtesse is a Deuxième Cru from Pauillac, easily confused with Pichon Longueville Baron (also a Deuxième Cru); it is not surprising to learn that the Comtesse and the Baron were once part of the same property. The Comtesse has a relatively high proportion of Merlot for a left bank property (45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, as opposed to the more Cabernet Sauvignon heavy Baron: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) and it is typically said to have softer tannins than other classified Pauillac properties.

Dusty black fruit beautifully matured, still fairly solid, the first impression is exactly what I’d expect from a good, mature, left bank wine; within half an hour it has acquired a strong tobacco character which I’m more used to in reds from the Graves. Other voices at the table wondered if it was a little past its best, I thought it was characterful and well aged.