Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 IMP

Bottled in a striking 6L Imperial, Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2018 is a powerful yet supremely refined Pauillac that showcases the grandeur of this legendary Second Growth estate. Crafted from 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it captures the opulence and structure of the 2018 vintage with remarkable polish. Representing just 50% of the harvest, this Grand Vin is a collector-worthy claret with a long life ahead of it.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep granat-purple, almost opaque at the core, promising intensity and concentration. The nose is immediately expressive, with layers of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, interwoven with notes of cedar chest, pencil shavings, bouquet garni, fine charcuterie and a delicate floral lift of lilacs. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied and beautifully composed, balancing 14% alcohol with seamless freshness. The tannins are firm yet finely grained, giving a tactile, almost velvety structure to the compact black fruit core. Savory nuances—graphite, dried herbs, subtle meatiness—add complexity, leading into a long, scented, earth-tinged finish. With its IPT of 87, this is built for longevity: expect it to start showing its full charm after about 5 years in bottle and to evolve gracefully for 30 years or more, especially in this large-format Imperial.

Production
Sourced from the historic gravel terraces of Pauillac in Bordeaux, the 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande reflects classic Left Bank terroir: deep gravel over clay, offering excellent drainage, warmth for Cabernet ripening, and a natural elegance. The blend—71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot—was assembled from carefully selected plots, with strict sorting in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only the finest grapes entered the Grand Vin. Vinification follows a parcel-by-parcel approach in temperature-controlled vats to preserve purity of fruit and terroir expression, followed by élevage in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, to add aromatic complexity, silkiness of tannin and depth without overwhelming the wine’s inherent finesse.

Food & Serving
This Imperial-format 2018 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is an outstanding centrepiece for special occasions and pairs beautifully with classic, richly flavored dishes. Think roast rib of beef, côte de boeuf, lamb racks with herbs, duck breast, game birds, or slow-braised dishes like beef short ribs and daube de boeuf. It also complements mature hard cheeses such as Comté, aged cheddar or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F); in its youth, decant for 2–3 hours to allow the bouquet and structure to fully unfold, and for mature bottles, a gentle 1–2 hour decant will help the sediment settle and the aromatics blossom.

Producer
Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of Pauillac’s most revered estates, classified as a Deuxième Cru (Second Growth) in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Situated on prime gravelly slopes overlooking the Gironde, the château has long been celebrated for producing wines that marry Pauillac’s trademark power and structure with an almost Margaux-like elegance and charm. Over the decades, under dedicated ownership and significant investment in vineyard management and cellar technology, Pichon Comtesse has risen to near–First Growth status in the eyes of many collectors and critics, with recent vintages—including 2018—highlighted as some of the finest in the estate’s modern history.

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