2011 Pichon Lalande
By Chateau Pichon Lalande
The 2011 Pichon Lalande from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In the eminent world of fine Bordeaux, the 2011 Pichon Lalande stands out distinctively as a testament to the resilience and grace of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande's vineyards amid the challenging climatic conditions faced by Bordeaux that year. This vintage speaks volumes of the expertise behind its creation, bringing forth a tapestry of nuanced complexity to serious collectors and investors alike.
Refinement Amidst Rigour: The Vintage Sings
Despite the unpredictable weather patterns shadowing over 2011, with a hot spring followed by an erratic summer, the vigilant guardians of the Pichon Lalande from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande achieved an admirable feat of balance and depth. As if singing defiance to the elements, this offering from Pauillac exercises its pedigree through precision in viticulture and adroit winemaking.
Cooler conditions before the harvest were critical for this vintage's success, permitting the grapes to mature at a more measured pace, locking in their spectrum of aromas. It is here that one can discern the handiwork of a master winemaker; blending primarily Cabernet Sauvignon fraught with power and austerity, tempered by Merlot's accommodating plushness and further ennobled with touches of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Investment Calibre: The Profound Palate
The profile that emerges from this harmonious mélange is one of profound grace under pressure; a vivid core of cassis and ripe blackberries wrapped in a mantle of savoury earthiness and supple tannins, where lingering whispers of cedar and tobacco are testimony to its impeccable upbringing in oak. The interplay between strength and elegance in this vintage is undoubtedly one to be watched over time; an engrossing evolution can be expected with proper cellaring.
The conclusion is irrefutable; the 2011 vintage of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande infuses confidence not just with its immediate appeal but also with its latent potential. Amidst a more challenging compendium of Bordelaise vintages, it offers both measured hedonism for the oenophile and sound prospects for the astute investor looking to diversify their portfolio with a wine that demonstrates stoicism against climatic caprice.
For those seeking not just a noble bottle but a narrative woven through adversity, the Pichon Lalande from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is indispensable—literally capturing a momentous battle against nature's whims within each cork-sealed treasure trove.
Market price (HKD)
HK$11,560.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
93.08
Scores and tasting notes
A 2011 with blackberry, dark-chocolate and smoked-meat character. Full body, silky tannins and a long, intense finish. All about balance and polish. Very fine. Needs three to four years to soften. Try in 2017.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 19th 2014
The headline is that this vintage of Pichon Lalande has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever: 78% accompanied by 8% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It is aged in 60% new oak and has an IPT of 75. It has a very strict bouquet, obviously dominated by the Cabernet with notes of blackcurrant, tobacco, graphite, a hint of Christmas cake and that tincture of blood orange evident in the second wine. The palate is medium-bodied with a linear, conservative entry that expands nicely in the mouth. It has fine acidity, good tension, fine weight but it is very tightly wound, more so than usual at this nascent stage. Leaving it aside, there is a hint of Lapsong Souchang and graphite towards the finish that shows a little hardness, but that should soften by the time of bottling. A very Pauillac-like Pichon, perhaps the little brother of the 1996? Tasted twice with consistent notes. Tasted April 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2012
The dark ruby/plum-colored 2011 Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande is an elegant, suave, medium-bodied effort with abundant black cherry and red and black currant fruit. Nearly St.-Julien-like in its texture and personality, this is a well-made, finesse-styled Pauillac to drink over the next 10-15 years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2014
The dark ruby/plum-colored 2011 Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande is an elegant, suave, medium-bodied effort with abundant black cherry and red and black currant fruit. Nearly St.-Julien-like in its texture and personality, this is a well-made, finesse-styled Pauillac to drink over the next 10-15 years.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #212 Apr 2014