Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 1996

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (96)

The 1996 Pichon-Lalande is just as awesome from bottle as it was from multiple cask tastings. For Pichon-Lalande, the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is atypically high. This wine normally contains 35-50% Merlot in the blend, but the 1996 is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Only 50% of the estate's production made it into the grand vin. The color is a saturated ruby/purple. The nose suggests sweet, nearly overripe Cabernet Sauvignon, with its blueberry/blackberry/cassis scents intermixed with high quality, subtle, toasty new oak. Deep and full-bodied, with fabulous concentration and a sweet, opulent texture, this wine was singing in full harmony when I tasted it in January. Given the wine's abnormally high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, I would suspect it will close down. It possesses plenty of tannin, but the wine's overwhelming fruit richness dominates its personality.

Winespectator (92)

Black color, with intense Cabernet aromas of blackberries and currants and hints of mint. Full-bodied and very firm, with silky tannins and a long, flavorful and caressing finish. A racy and well-structured Pichon-Lalande.

Rene Gabriel (19)

Rene Gabriel rates this wine 19/20 points.