Today we share one of the great wines I tasted while recently abroad. Chateau Pichon Lalande was founded by Pierre de Mazur de Rauzan towards the end of the XVIIth century. This 80 hectare site extended from Pauillac and Saint-Julien.

Pierre de Rauzan married off his daughter Thérèse to Jacques François de Pichon, Seigneur de Longueville Rauzan, Rauzan then passed on the estate to them which became the Pichon Longueville estate. Ths would later split the second growth houses of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Chateau Pichon Baron. Rauzan gave his three sons 60 acres of vineyards around Chateau Margaux that would later be Chateau Rauzan-Segla and others.

In 1925, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was bought by Edouard Miailhe and Louis Miailhe. The daughter of Edouard Miailhe, May Elaine de Lancquesaing became the owner and manager of the property. In 2006, de Lencquesaing sold a majority interest in the Château to the Rouzaud family, which also owns the Champagne house Louis Roederer. In 2009, the Roederer Group invested 30 million dollars in a replanting plan and a new wine cellar, making the vineyards biodynamic.

The house typically has a higher level of Merlot and lower percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in their blends compared to their neighbors. Usually now the range is between 70 and 75% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The vintage I tasted was one year before my birth year, 1979, which was not a good year in Bordeaux. The 1979 Chateau Pichon Lalande (OB, 93) has lost much of its fruit but has some really nice truffle and dusty soil notes. It is smooth and refined on the palate, a true joy to drink now. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.pichon-comtesse.com/en and here is my review of the 1979 Chateau Pichon Lalande.

1979 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande- The really good 1979 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is an excellent effort from this tough vintage. On the nose this has black truffle shavings and salty soils alongside shades of dried herbs and faint dark currant tones. The palate is refined and elegant with faint tannins that frame a core of wild mushroom, damp earth and shades of wild blackberry. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 93