Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018

Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 is a benchmark Pauillac from one of Bordeaux’s most admired Second Growth estates. Blending 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it marries classic Left Bank structure with the estate’s hallmark elegance and finesse. Representing just 50% of the harvest, this Grand Vin is a carefully selected, deeply concentrated expression of the exceptional 2018 vintage.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Pichon Comtesse is a deep, opaque garnet-purple, hinting at its intensity and long life ahead. The nose is immediately seductive, opening with layers of baked plum, ripe blackcurrant and wild blueberry, followed by savoury notes of cedar chest, pencil shavings and charcuterie. Subtle floral tones of lilac and a bouquet garni lift the aromatic profile, adding complexity and refinement. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied but beautifully poised, with seamless freshness balancing the wine’s ripe, dark fruit core. Fine-grained, firmly structured tannins give shape and grip without harshness, supporting flavours of blackcurrant, plum compote and wild berries intertwined with savoury, graphite and herbal nuances. There is a long, perfumed finish with a lingering, earthy, almost truffley note. Still youthful and tightly knit, it will need around 5 years in bottle to show its full character and has the structure and concentration to age gracefully for 30 years or more.

Production
The 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is sourced from the estate’s historic vineyards in Pauillac, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, where deep gravel soils over limestone and clay provide superb drainage and naturally limit yields, concentrating flavour and tannin in the grapes. The blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot reflects both the terroir and the estate’s pursuit of balance and complexity. Grapes are typically hand-harvested parcel by parcel at optimal ripeness, then carefully sorted before fermentation in temperature-controlled vats. Precise extraction is managed to preserve finesse while building the wine’s structure, followed by élevage in French oak barrels (a high proportion new) to refine the tannins, integrate the oak and develop its characteristic aromatic depth.

Food & Serving
This 2018 Pauillac is a classic partner for rich, flavourful dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye, beef Wellington, venison, or slow-braised short ribs. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, mushroom-based dishes, and hard, aged cheeses like Comté or mature cheddar. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for 2–3 hours in its youth will help open up the bouquet and soften the tannins; as the wine matures, a shorter decant mainly to remove sediment will be sufficient.

Producer
Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of Pauillac’s most illustrious properties, classified as a Deuxième Cru (Second Growth) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Long renowned for crafting wines that combine Pauillac’s classic power and structure with an almost Médocain refinement and charm, Pichon Comtesse has often rivalled First Growths in quality and critical acclaim. Over the years, ongoing investment in the vineyards and cellar, along with meticulous attention to detail, has further elevated its status as a reference-point estate on the Left Bank, regularly producing some of the most sought-after and age-worthy wines in Bordeaux.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.