At a glance

Producer

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend (with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$200-$350 (per 750ml bottle, global average early 2024)

Tasting profile

Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, violet, pencil shavings, tobacco; dense palate, high tannin and freshness.

Evolution: Will develop more tertiary notes: leather, truffle, cigar box, forest floor, dried flowers, and softened tannins over decades.

At peak: Complex, elegant, integrated, seamless texture with profound length and classic Pauillac finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high, fresh

Tannins

Firm, abundant, youthful

Alcohol

13.5-14.0% ABV (typical for this estate and year)

Aging potential

Long-term; 30-40 years in top storage conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2031 to 2053

Optimal window

2028 to 2056

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, powerful, and concentrated; requires significant aging for full expression

The 2021 vintage from Pichon Lalande is known for its classic structure and precision from a cooler, challenging year. Its substantial tannins and acidity ensure a slow, graceful development. Drinking before 2030 will forfeit complexity and integration.

Food pairing

Best with classic Bordelais cuisine: roast lamb, rare rib-eye steak, duck confit, mushroom dishes, truffled potatoes, mature hard cheeses.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has firm, abundant, and youthful tannins which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Vineyards farmed with significant organic and some biodynamic practices, minimal synthetic inputs, replanting for biodiversity, beehives, cover crops, water management; gravity-flow cellar to reduce energy, LED lighting, lightweight glass bottles, on-site composting.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is among Bordeaux's sustainability leaders, holding HVE level 3 (France’s highest environmental certification). Over half the estate is farmed organically (with plans to certify entire property), and they are ISO 14001 certified for responsible environmental management. Energy-saving initiatives, biodiversity programs, and reduced chemical use are emphasized. However, the use of traditional glass bottles, international exports, and incomplete organic conversion temper the overall score; continued efforts towards full organic certification would raise sustainability further.