At a glance

Producer

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$275–$400 USD (750ml bottle, global retail)

Tasting profile

Concentrated blackcurrant and cassis, plum, graphite, cedar, violet; tightly wound with powerful tannins, subtle oak, mineral-laced finish.

Evolution: Over next 5-10 years, tannins will soften, aromatic complexity will build (truffle, tobacco, leather); tertiary notes emerging by 2030+.

At peak: At peak, seamless integration, velvety texture, pronounced depth; classic Pauillac secondary and tertiary character with perfume, earth, and lingering finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, provides freshness and longevity

Tannins

Very high, fine-grained, robust

Alcohol

14% ABV

Aging potential

Extraordinary, 30+ years in optimal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2031 to 2062

Optimal window

2027 to 2065

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Approachable with extended decanting but ideally cellared for further integration and complexity.

The 2018 vintage benefits from a warm, dry growing season in Pauillac resulting in dense fruit and powerful structure; this wine is built for several decades of evolution, reaching its zenith as tannins resolve and layered complexity is revealed.

Food pairing

Prime rib, roast duck, dry-aged beef, lamb rack, mushroom dishes, mature hard cheeses.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2-3 hours) — To aerate and soften robust tannins, release young wine's aromatics, and diminish bottle reduction effects.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Use of cover crops and natural grassing (reduces erosion and chemical input); minimized chemical use; precision water management; increased vineyard biodiversity; reduced pesticide/fertilizer programs; recycled packaging; energy-efficient winery upgrades; bee colonies and bat boxes for natural pest control.

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a Bordeaux second growth increasingly focused on sustainability. The estate holds France’s HVE3 certification—indicating respected environmental stewardship—and since 2019 has expanded organic trial plots. There is continuous investment in biodiversity, energy conservation, and reduced inputs. However, no official organic/biodynamic certification was present in 2018. While winery and farming practices are strong and improving, the international luxury trade nature of the wine means its global carbon footprint remains moderate. Overall, this wine reflects a leading but still progressing approach toward sustainability among Bordeaux Grands Crus.