2016 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More

Among the highest scoring vintages over the last two decades from a legendary "Super Second" estate, these powerful and elegant selections from Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande boast rich, aromatic dark fruit and bright, mineral-driven acidity, some ready to enjoy now and all ageworthy blends rivalling the quality of neighboring First Growth estates at unbeatable pricing.

Described as “arguably the single hottest chateau on Bordeaux’s Left Bank right now” by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, Pichon Lalande is located in Pauillac on the iconic Route des Chateaux overlooking the Gironde, its majestic turreted Chateau surrounded by the vines of First Growth Latour. Covering 89 hectares on deep gravel layered over clay and limestone, the Pichon Lalande vineyards are planted mainly to Cabernet Sauvignon with the oldest vines overlooking the river ranging up to 90 years of age, the remaining parcels located mostly in a single plot west of Latour. Describing it as “utterly brilliant, delivering juice, minerality, power, balance,” the thrilling 97 pt. 2009 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande offers “sheer enjoyment” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson and “will unquestionably evolve gracefully for another 20-25 years” according to Jeb Dunnuck while the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss calls the 97 pt. 2009 Pichon Lalande “a seductive wine” with “beautifully integrated” tannins that’s simply “wonderful to taste” according to James Suckling. The 100 pt. 2010 Pichon Lalande is a “total showstopper” and a “modern day classic” according to Vinous critic Antonio Galloni, while James Suckling describes it as “rock-solid, with a classic Pauillac profile” and a lingering mineral-driven finish. The 95 pt. 2012 Pichon Lalande is “a wine of pure and total seduction” with “so much to offer” according to critic Galloni, while the 98 pt. 2015 Pichon Lalande is “as classy as they come” according to Jeb Dunnuck and “will continue to impress for two to three decades,” while impressing James Suckling with its “gorgeous texture” and “long and beautiful finish.” Described as “a perfect, legendary wine in the making” by Jeb Dunnuck, the 100 pt. 2016 Pichon Lalande earned a spot on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019, called “a vivid, dramatically sweeping wine that will leave readers week at the knees” by critic Antonio Galloni who adds “don’t miss it.” Offering “silky tannins” that “feels like a Pauillac” according to Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, the 96 pt. 2017 Pichon Lalande boasts “pure elegance and class” according to Jeb Dunnuck while the 99 tp. 2019 Pichon Lalande 99 pts. is “one of the wines of the vintage” according to the Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, described by Vinous critic Neal Martin as “an absolute showstopper.”

Garnering unanimous critical acclaim typically reserved for the First Growths at a fraction of the price, these exceptional vintages from Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande blends are affordable luxuries not to be missed by Bordeaux lovers and collectors, whether selecting a few favorites to enjoy now or stocking the cellar and savoring them for years to come.

100WA

100JD

100V

99WI

98JS

One of the greatest wines that this estate has produced in the modern era, the 2016 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a brilliant classic that no Bordeaux lover is going to want to do without. Mingling aromas of cassis and plums with notions of licorice, sweet tobacco leaf, rich soil tones, licorice, cigar smoke and violets, it's full-bodied, seamless and complete, with huge concentration, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Standing out for its unerring precision, impeccable balance and ineffable sense of completeness, it should prove almost immortal.

100 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate (Aug 2022)

Coming from the genius winemaking talent of Nicolas Glumineau, the 2016 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande matches the 1982 and is a perfect, legendary wine in the making. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new oak, it's not the most powerful Left Bank but offers perfect balance and thrilling intensity as well as heavenly aromatics of crème de cassis, leafy herbs, jammy blackberries, tobacco leaf, and freshly sharpened lead pencils as well as more violets and minerality with time in the glass. Possessing a deep, full-bodied, singular character, the purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage, building tannins, and a sense of class and elegance that's hard to describe, it's a 50-year-wine. While this cuvée has included a fair chunk of Merlot in the past that gave it more upfront appeal, it's important for readers to know it's much more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated today, and while it is slightly more approachable than some of its neighbors, it shuts down rather quickly with time in the glass. (I followed this wine for multiple days.) I suspect a solid decade of cellaring is warranted.

100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2019)

The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is every bit as regal as it has always been. Towering and spectacularly rich in the glass, the 2016 captures every ounce of potential is showed from barrel. The 2016 is a vivid, dramatically sweeping wine that will leave readers weak at the knees. Beams of tannin give the 2016 soaring intensity that is matched by a host of aromas and flavors that open up in the glass. Blackberry jam, graphite, spice, menthol, licorice, pencil shavings and spice are all finely sketched in a bold, savory Pauillac that hits all the right notes. The 2016 Pichon Comtesse has been riveting on each of the four occasions I have tasted it from barrel thus far, making it easily one of the wines of the vintage. Nicolas Glumineu and his team turned out an epic Pichon Comtesse in 2016. Don't miss it!

100 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jan 2019)

The 2016 Pichon Comtesse has a deep garnet color. It needs a lot of coaxing and swirling to shake loose notes of crushed black and red currants, black raspberries, and mulberries, plus wafts of lilacs, forest floor, and pencil lead, with a hint of smoked meats. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with bright, perfumed black fruits, supported by plush, super-ripe tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Gorgeous!

99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Dec 2022)

Glorious aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and flowers, from violets to roses. Iron and rust undertones. Full-bodied, dense and very layered with loads of richness. It goes on for minutes. Reminds me of the 1986. Best in decades? Take a first look at it in 2025.

98 points, James Suckling (Dec 2019)

Alcohol By Volume: 13.5%

#FRPLCS16BE

$299.88

Compare At: $329.99

This item is a pre-order estimated to arrive 7/11/2024. 23 bottles available.

This item is available in original wood case. Would you like to include the wood case in your order? There is an additional $12.00 shipping fee for wood cases.

Available in Original Wood Case of 6

Add to Wishlist