Among the Médoc's legendary names, the Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2010 embodies Pauillac's sovereign elegance. On the deep gravel that overlooks the Gironde, this Deuxième Grand Cru Classé 1855 fashions a red with a classic bearing and an intensely refined expression. The 2010 vintage, celebrated for its uprightness and brightness, gives this cuvée a grand architectural style where the power of Cabernet Sauvignon combines with the caressing suppleness of Merlot. For the enthusiast seeking a wine that stands the test of time without losing its grace, it offers a clear, almost musical answer. On opening, a vibrant bouquet rises of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry, edged with graphite, liquorice and noble oak. On the palate, the substance unfolds with measured energy, subtle freshness and tannins so finely grained they seem embroidered. Everything here speaks of restraint, precision and a mastery of balance where the promise of aging is accompanied by an already intense pleasure. More than a wine, it is a way to inhabit the moment, to elevate tasting to a ritual, to make terroir and emotion speak in the same breath.

Blend and winemaking

This exceptional Pauillac is born from a typically Médoc blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to refine depth and nuance. The 2010 Pichon Comtesse rests on an exemplary balance, with a backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon providing uprightness, length and a graphite frame, and a Merlot that lays a velvet veil, a generous suppleness and fleshy breadth. Cabernet Franc adds floral subtleties while Petit Verdot signs the finish with a spicy vibrancy. Aged in oak barrels in a measured style where the wood serves the fruit without ever overpowering it, the wine gains relief, complexity and texture. Rigorous parcel selection, gentle extraction and patient ageing all work to preserve aromatic purity, tension and that famed lace-like tannin texture that makes the estate so renowned. The result is a savoury, classic red with that extra soul and signature grace that sets Pichon Comtesse apart among the great names of Pauillac.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Deep garnet with purple highlights, almost opaque, promising remarkable concentration and harmonious evolution.
• Nose : Complex and precise, blending pure blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry with notes of raspberry, violet, graphite and liquorice, lifted by noble oak with accents of cocoa and vanilla.
• Palate : A direct, velvety attack, a savory mid-palate framed by fine, tight tannins. Subtle balance between freshness and ripeness, long finish of blackcurrant, blackberry and pencil lead, with a spicy hint.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this great Pauillac between 16 and 18°C in large glasses to fully open the aromatic range. A 1 to 2 hour decant is recommended at this stage to soften the structure and release notes of black fruit, graphite and gentle spices. Store bottles lying down, away from light, in a cool damp cellar. The 2010 already gives immense pleasure with its clear lines and satiny texture, and will continue to develop with time, gaining tertiary complexity and notes of undergrowth, tobacco leaf and cedar. It pairs as well with refined cuisine as with moments of contemplation, when one seeks a wine that combines stature and delicacy.

Food pairings

• Appetisers : Comté gougères, thin slices of bresaola, black pudding and apple tartlets.
• Starters : game terrine, perfect egg with mushrooms, beef carpaccio, pan-seared foie gras with figs.
• Main courses : dry-aged rib of beef, roasted rack of lamb, braised chuck, venison with black berries, reduced jus sauces.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Salers, extra-old mimolette, mature sheep's milk tomme.
• Desserts : low-sugar dark chocolate dome, cocoa-hazelnut entremets, black fruits with Timut pepper.

Tasting occasions

Pichon Comtesse 2010 naturally imposes itself on:

• an elegant dinner where precise service elevates every pairing.
• as an insider's gift for a collector, to mark a rare moment.
• the centrepiece of a great Médoc tasting, to illustrate the union of power and grace.

Details

• Name : Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2010
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Classification : Deuxième Grand Cru Classé 1855
• Type : Dry red wine, savoury and classic style
• Vintage : 2010
• Grape varieties : Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (approximate proportions)
• Terroir : Deep gravelly soils overlooking the Gironde estuary
• Ageing : Oak barrels, noble and integrated oak
• Service : 16 to 18°C, decant recommended
• Cellaring : High ageing potential