2023 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2023

The nose of the 2023 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is refined, elegant, and complex, with delicious aromas of licorice and blackcurrants, as well as floral nuances of red roses and peonies. Furthermore, the wine reveals more mineral notes of earth and roots, with hints of Virginia tobacco. On the palate, the wine starts remarkably straightforward, subsequently becoming full of flavor with controlled power and a well-balanced extraction mid-palate. The delicious and flavorful finish is supported by polished and precise tannins. Pastry, juicy, and fruity notes (blue and black fruits) combine with cedar aromas, adding finesse and complexity.

Composition and Aging

The blend of the 2023 vintage consists of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 60% of which were new oak. The traditional 'rack à l'esquive' technique and fining with egg white were applied to further refine the wine.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested from vineyard plots, and vinification takes place by gravity in temperature-controlled conical stainless steel tanks. The yield is 41 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has an alcohol content of 13% and a pH of 3.6. Pressed wines reach an alcohol content of 14.7%.

Climate and Harvest

The year 2023 saw remarkably high annual rainfall, while the growing season was one of the driest in the past 20 years, with several heatwaves. The winter was relatively mild, resulting in an early bud break in the first half of April. The growing season was characterized by regular rain showers and a high threat of mildew. Thanks to significant efforts and scattered rainfall, the threat of vineyard diseases remained under control, allowing flowering to occur in late May and véraison in early August. The harvest took place from September 6 to 30 under excellent weather conditions, ensuring the grapes could be picked at the ideal time.

Vineyard management

The vineyards of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande cover an area of 114 hectares, of which 92 hectares are in production. The soil consists of gravel, clay, and sand, with a planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare and an average vineyard age of 28 years. The winery is in its third year of transitioning to 100% organic farming, with 65% of the vineyards following biodynamic practices.

Conclusion

The 2023 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant wine that combines pure and expressive black fruit, violets, and graphite with refined symmetry and an intense finish. This wine promises great aging potential and is a paragon of elegance, power, and refinement. For lovers of Bordeaux wines, this is a wine to look forward to and cherish in the years to come.

FUN FACT: In the Attachments tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine. We will automatically send it to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to pick it up, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see the potential discount immediately if you select Pick Up on the Checkout page. We are located almost next to the main road with ample parking. Click here for the address.