Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 DEMI

Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 in demi bottle (37.5 cl) brings one of Pauillac’s most admired grands vins into a more accessible, intimate format—perfect for gourmet dinners for two or serious tasting lineups. This is a refined, Cabernet-driven Bordeaux blend from a benchmark vintage, crafted with the estate’s signature combination of power, polish, and sensual texture. As one of the most historic and revered “Super Seconds” of the Médoc, Pichon Comtesse offers here a collectible wine with decades of life ahead, in a format that allows you to experience its evolution sooner and with less occasion required.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande shows a deep, opaque garnet-purple hue, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is immediately expressive, with generous aromas of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, layered with notes of cedar chest, pencil shavings, bouquet garni, and fine charcuterie, lifted by a delicate floral hint of lilacs. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied yet impeccably poised, with seamless freshness cutting through the dense, black-fruited core. The texture is defined by firm, finely grained tannins that feel structured but polished, supporting flavors of cassis, dark plum, and blackberry compote alongside savory undertones of graphite, dried herbs, and subtle spice. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a gently fragrant, earthy impression. Still tightly coiled in its youth, this 2018 will need about 5 years in bottle to fully show its complexity and should easily continue to evolve gracefully for 30 years or more, even in demi format—though it will likely reach drinkability slightly earlier than the standard bottle.

Production
Sourced from the renowned gravelly terroirs of Pauillac in Bordeaux, the vineyards of Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande benefit from deep gravel over sand and clay, excellent drainage, and the moderating influence of the nearby Gironde estuary. The 2018 grand vin is a classic Left Bank blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, with a pH of 3.85 and an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87, reflecting the wine’s impressive structure and aging capacity. Only around half of the estate’s harvest qualified for the grand vin, ensuring strict selection at harvest and again at the winery. Grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness, carefully sorted, and vinified parcel by parcel, with gentle extraction to capture depth without harshness. The wine is then matured in oak (a high proportion new, as is typical for the château) to knit together the blend’s components and layer in subtle spice and complexity before bottling, including in this convenient demi format.

Food & Serving
This Pauillac is a natural match for refined, protein-rich dishes that can stand up to its structure and depth. Think ribeye steak with bone marrow, roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, venison, or slow-braised short ribs; it also shines alongside duck breast, game birds, and truffled mushroom dishes. Hard, aged cheeses such as Comté, aged Gouda, or mature Pecorino are excellent companions. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux stems to showcase the aromatics. Even in demi-bottle, decanting is recommended: 1–2 hours for current drinking to soften the tannins and open up the bouquet, and a shorter 30–45 minutes if the wine has had additional bottle age.

Producer
Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of the most illustrious estates of Pauillac, classified as a Second Growth (Deuxième Cru Classé) in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Often cited as one of the leading “Super Seconds,” the château is renowned for crafting wines that marry Pauillac’s classical power and structure with an almost Margaux-like elegance and finesse. With a long history dating back to the late 17th century and a reputation cemented by successive generations of dedicated ownership, Pichon Comtesse has become a benchmark for Cabernet-based blends on the Left Bank. Under modern stewardship and continuous investment in the vineyards and cellar, the estate has produced a string of acclaimed vintages, with 2018 considered one of the standouts of the contemporary era, further reinforcing its status as a reference point for serious Bordeaux collectors and enthusiasts alike.

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