Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (1989)

About this wine

The 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a medium-bodied Bordeaux blend that has reached full maturity. On the nose, it presents aromas of red currants, tobacco, cedar, and cigar box. The palate is elegant and refined, with soft, silky tannins and flavors of sweet cherries and spice. This wine is a testament to the exceptional 1989 vintage in Bordeaux, known for producing wines with soft, silky tannins and high alcohol levels. As it is slightly past its peak, it is recommended to enjoy this wine now to fully appreciate its remaining fruit and complexity.

About the grape

In the 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the grape blend was composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot. This combination is notable for its higher proportion of Merlot compared to many other Pauillac wines, which typically emphasize Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate's owner at the time, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, noted that her uncle Louis favored Merlot for its contribution to color, roundness, and suppleness, which became hallmarks of the estate's wines. The inclusion of Petit Verdot, particularly in sun-rich years like 1989, added freshness and aromatic complexity to the blend.

Quick facts

• 🍷 The 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is renowned for its exceptional quality, receiving a 98-point rating from Wine Spectator, highlighting its ripe fruit flavors and soft, caressing tannins.
• 🍇 This vintage is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot, a blend that contributes to its rich and complex profile.
• 🏰 The estate's vineyards span both Pauillac and Saint-Julien appellations, a unique feature that adds to the wine's distinctive character.
• ☀️ The 1989 vintage benefited from a hot and dry growing season, resulting in a generous harvest and a wine with expressive fruit structure and fine tannins.
• 📜 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a history dating back to 1689, with the estate being divided in 1850, leading to the creation of this renowned winery.

Palate profile

Producer

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, established in 1689 by Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan, became part of the Pichon family through the marriage of his daughter Thérèse to Jacques de Pichon Longueville in 1694. In 1850, the estate was divided, with Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, inheriting a portion and commissioning the château that bears her name. The estate was classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification. In 2007, the Rouzaud family, owners of Champagne Louis Roederer, acquired the property, continuing its legacy of producing exceptional wines.