Chateau Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande (Futures Pre-sale) 2009

"(a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 5% petit verdot; 13% alcohol; pH 3.79; 70 IPT; 50% new oak) Purple-ruby color. Initially reticent nose hints at minerals and blackcurrant, then opens to reveal spicy strawberry, violet and cedar. Quite dense yet suave on entry, with harmonious acids nicely framing the captivating blackcurrant, plum and cedar flavors. Conveys an impressive sense of depth and brooding power, yet remains remarkably light on its feet and easy to drink. Very silky wine, with polished tannins offering considerable structure and support to the ripe fruit flavors on the extremely long finish. An utterly seamless wine yet very serious wine that will offer considerable early drinking appeal but needs time to reveal all of its considerable potential. Pichon-Lalande has long been one of my favorite wines of Bordeaux but I've been unimpressed by many recent vintages, so I am very happy to report that the '09 is not just the best wine here in recent memory, but probably one of the best of all time.
Barrel Sample: 96-96 Points "

96 Points

International Wine Cellar

"What a great nose of blackberries, currants and spices. Hints of fresh herbs. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and lovely fruit. Such finesse and beauty. Wonderful to taste. Reminds me of the legendary 1982. Try in 2018. "

96 Points

James Suckling

"A beautiful effort, the 2009 Pichon Lalande, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, possesses copious mocha, lead pencil, unsmoked, high class tobacco, black currant, forest floor and herbaceous characteristics. It is a deep purple-hued, charming, surprisingly open-knit Pauillac with wonderful freshness, a plump, fleshy mouthfeel, opulence and unctuosity, medium to full body and a well-delineated, luscious style. More elegant than its nearby neighbor, Pichon Longueville Baron, and not as massive in concentration and extract, it is one of the great Pichon Lalandes of the last twenty years. "

95 Points

The Wine Advocate

"A seductive wine, delicously ripe with the softest, juiciest fruit over smoky new wood. The wine shows intense fruit as well as a soft Merlot core. The tannins are beautifully integrated in this ripely sweet wine.
Cellar Selection"

95 Points

Wine Enthusiast

"Offers a dark roasted core of plum sauce, warm fig paste, melted licorice and singed cedar, while a mouthwatering iron edge and a lovely smoldering tobacco note add lift and length through the finish. A touch restrained now, but should blossom with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2033."

94 Points

Wine Spectator