2012 Pichon Lalande
By Chateau Pichon Lalande
2012 Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux
The 2012 Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande reveals the sublime intricacies that the Bordeaux terroir can coax from a vintage that required the deftest touch and judicious precision. The distinctive attributes of this particular year lie in its balance and early approachability, marking it as one to cherish while other vintages slumber.
A Vintage Shaped by Elements
The climatic ballet of 2012 comprised a dagger of cold in February followed by a thirst-inducing drought. Hence, the growing season grasped at the straws of urgency with fruit setting forth under duress. These vicissitudes necessitated expertise, which the team at Chateau Pichon Lalande demonstrated with aplomb.
Anticipating the flux, they marshalled their resources to ensure that each grape from their emerald vines reached optimum ripeness. The resulting vintage teems with dark berries and cassis, embroidered with a subtle tapestry of cedar wood nuances and just a whisper of spice. Evidently, the 2012 vintage found its voice amidst adversities.
Investment Potential: Patience Rewarded
For investors looking to diversify a high calibre portfolio, the 2012 Pichon Lalande is a lustrous gem. Its current maturity provides an opulent tasting experience while still holding promise for future gratification under proper cellaring conditions. A careful investment in this wine could yield considerable delights to both palate and purse.
Connoisseurs seeking wines that articulate the symphony of their birth year will find the 2012 Pichon Lalande enigmatic yet eloquent—a testament to the resilience of great winemaking. Its equilibrium between strength and elegance encapsulates Pauillac's character with dignity and depth.
In summation, this wine epitomises a Bordeaux investment option with tangible allure. It not only offers graceful drinking but also stands as a beacon of the harmony attainable when vignerons triumph over nature's caprice. One can relish this 2012 Pichon Lalande now or watch it unfurl further complexity with time—the decision is as rewarding as the wine itself.
Current market price
£1,200.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
92.31
Scores and tasting notes
Focused and very pretty with ultra-fine tannins and dark chocolate, dark fruit. Fine texture. A beautiful center palate and finesse here. Creamy tannins. 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 4th 2013
Coming in at a lofty 13.2% natural alcohol, it offers up scents of black currants, white chocolate, berries, cedar and forest floor. Sweet tannin, a round opulence and medium body result in a classic, supple-textured Pauillac that should drink well young and keep for 12-15 years. It is very much in keeping with what most readers would consider the 'house style' of Pichon Lalande, despite the fact that they are moving toward more Cabernet Sauvignon and less Petit Verdot in the final blend. Fifty percent of the crop made it into the final blend of 2012 Pichon Lalande, which includes more and more Cabernet Sauvignon under the new ownership of the Roederer Champagne firm. The 2012 is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #206
The grande dame, the 2012 Pichon Lalande represents only 50% of their harvest production. It has soft, round tannins, endearing elegance, and up-front fruit. It is not a blockbuster, but its lush, richly fruity style is charming and seductive, with raspberry, blueberry, mocha and blackcurrant fruit and a deep ruby/purple color. This medium-bodied, supple-textured wine is surprisingly precocious and forward, and therefore best drunk over the next 15 years. The final blend was 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2015
I tasted the Pichon-Lalande three times over two weeks and it pains me to say that in 2012, the Grand Vin is not the success it ought to have been considering the percentage of Merlot in the vineyard. That is not to say that great effort was expended. There were two green harvests during the growing season which means that the yields were just 32hl/ha. The Grand Vin is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot harvested from 1 October until 18th October. They used three sorting: by hand, optical sorting and through the Ocillys de-stemmer The bouquet is a little disjointed and clearly does not possess the fruit intensity of its peers (through numerous comparisons). It just feels a little green and muted, startled by the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with a pointed, slightly harsh tannic opening, then the wine dips where the fruit ought to be and those tannins just dominate and slightly dry out the texture on the finish. It is less Cabernet-driven than the 2011, which was 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, but I feel that had they gone further and reduced the Cabernet Sauvignon further to allow the superior Merlot to shine, it would have made a better Grand Vin. I hope to re-taste this after bottling
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013