At a glance

Producer

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$350-$470 USD (750ml, ex-tax, global retail range)

Tasting profile

Dense black fruit (cassis, plum), graphite, violets, cocoa, cedar; tightly wound, structured, remarkable length.

Evolution: Will develop layered secondary/tertiary notes of tobacco, leather, truffle, grilled nuts, dried flowers, earth with maturity.

At peak: Complex bouquet with harmonious integration of tannins, refined fruit, and classic Pauillac minerality.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to high, ensuring freshness and longevity

Tannins

Firm, ripe, polished with notable finesse

Alcohol

14.0% ABV (typical analysis)

Aging potential

Exceptional; capable of graceful aging for 30+ years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2033 to 2064

Optimal window

2029 to 2067

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Suitable for early tasting by enthusiasts, but cellaring for 8+ years is recommended for optimal complexity.

The 2020 vintage is regarded as a classic, ripe yet structured Bordeaux year with high tannin maturity and balanced acidity—qualities that assure extended cellar life and long, graceful evolution, particularly from a highly regarded second growth like Pichon Lalande.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, aged ribeye steak, duck breast, wild game, mushroom-based dishes, aged hard cheeses, or truffle risotto.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has firm tannins and benefits from aeration to enhance its finesse and complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Emphasis on organic methods (no herbicides since 2009, no insecticides since 2011), increased biodynamic trials, 100% manual harvest, cover cropping, on-site composting, ongoing reduction of chemical inputs, water recycling, and solar-powered initiatives.

Château Pichon Lalande is a sustainability leader in the Médoc, earning advanced HVE certification, implementing numerous organic and biodynamic practices, and showing continuous improvement in environmental responsibility. These efforts—plus investments in biodiversity, renewable energy, and reduction of chemical/agro input—reflect a strong but not entirely zero-emissions profile, primarily due to export footprint and the lack of full organic certification across the entire estate.