Among Pauillac's major references, the Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2009 stands as a haute couture classic, celebrated for the finesse of its tannins and the precision of its bouquet. 2nd Grand Cru Classé of 1855, it draws its identity from the deep gravel soils of the left bank, where the vines shape season after season a composition of balance and breadth. A luminous, ripe vintage, 2009 produced grapes with perfect concentration, achieving a velvety texture without sacrificing length or freshness. The enthusiast will find the hallmark of a great house here, a wine that transcends the codes of power to instead celebrate restraint, distinction and elegance. At the table it sparks conversation as much as it enhances the dish, like a great portrait that reveals the depth of a face in the light.

Blend and vinification

This Pauillac follows the great Médoc tradition, based on Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Merlot and, depending on the vintage balance, other Bordeaux varieties. Grape selection is meticulous to preserve a pure, expressive material. Vinification, carried out with precision, seeks the most appropriate extraction, favouring the silky delicacy of the tannins rather than a showy approach. Maturation takes place in barriques de chêne français, with a proportion of new oak adjusted according to the year’s profile, to add fine spice, patina and complexity without masking the fruit's brightness. Time, a discreet ally, polishes the whole to deliver a chiselled texture, layered aromatics and a finish that stretches out with poise and distinction.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Deep garnet with ruby highlights, bright and concentrated, marked by slow legs that signal good concentration.
• Nose : Noble bouquet of blackcurrant and blackberry, underscored by notes of violet, cedar and graphite, followed by cigar box, light tobacco and gentle spices. A hint of fresh mint and truffle adds subtle relief.
• Palate : Generous, upright attack with a finely woven tannic frame. The mid-palate combines fruit depth and mineral brightness; the finish extends long on blackcurrant, cedar and a delicate salinity, a signature of great terroirs.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve at 16 to 18°C in large wine glasses to reveal the full aromatic complexity and silky texture. Decanting is recommended, more generous if the bottle is still young, more delicate if it has already reached good maturity. Store on its side in a cellar at stable temperature, protected from vibration and light. This Pauillac has an important potential de garde, which will allow its structure to integrate further and its nuances to unfold gracefully over the years.

Food pairing

• Aperitifs : delicate cold cuts, shavings of aged ham, gougères with aged Comté.
• Starters : game terrine, pan-seared foie gras with figs, lightly seasoned beef tartare.
• Main courses : pink lamb rack, dry-aged rib steak, roast duck with mild spices, sautéed porcini with reduced jus.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, extra-old mimolette, matured Ossau-Iraty, cheeses whose texture reveals the wine's refinement.
• Desserts : spiced poached pear, low-sugar cocoa dessert favouring bitterness and a spicy lift.

Occasions

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2009 is the ideal companion for:

• Celebration dinners where you want to combine gastronomy and emotion.
• Shared tastings among enthusiasts to compare styles and signatures of great terroirs.
• As an exceptional gift to mark an anniversary, an achievement or a gesture of esteem.

Specifications

• Name : Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2009
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Type : Red wine, 2nd Grand Cru Classé 1855
• Vintage : 2009
• Grape varieties : Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and complementary varieties depending on the vintage
• Alcohol : not disclosed
• Aging : matured in barriques de chêne français, proportion of new oak adjusted
• Volume : 75 cl
• Cellaring : great ageing potential depending on storage conditions
• Serving temperature : 16 to 18°C