Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, also known as “Pichon Lalande” is an estate situated near the town of Pauillac on the left bank of the Bordeaux area. Until 1850 it was part of the larger Pichon estate, which was founded in 1661 by Pierre de Mazures de Rauzan.
In 1684, as part of the dowry, Jean-François de Pichon, baron de Longueville became the new proprietor. In 1850 the château was split: 40% became Château Pichon Longueville au Baron de Pichon Longueville and 60% became Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.
In 1855, Pichon Lalande (and also Pichon Baron) was classified as a 2nd Growth in the original Bordeaux Classification. In 1925, Pichon Lalande was bought by Edouard and Louis Miailhe. The daughter of Edouard, May-Elianne de Lencquesaing became the owner of the estate in 1978. She promoted her wines with great enthusiasm and by hiring Jean-Jacques Godin, the quality of the wines increased considerably.
The estate belongs at present to the select group of “Super Seconds”. The vineyard surface area is approximately 85 Ha and the grapes used are: Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (12%) and Petit Verdot (8%). The average age of the vines is 30 years and the annual production is 30.000 cases.
The estate also produces a second wine named “Réserve de la Comtesse” (since 1973) and even a third wine.
Top vintages for Pichon Lalande are: 1945, 1961, 1966, 1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016. The wine is capable of aging for 25 years or more.
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