Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has been owned by the Rouzaud family since 2007; the family also owns the Louis Roederer champagnes.

Since the Roederer family took over management of the estate, major restructuring work has been undertaken in the vineyard. Located near the river, the 78 hectares of vineyards cross the Jalle de Saint-Julien to approach the Léoville plateau, before extending across the vast Pichon Longueville plateau south of the Pauillac appellation. The exceptional richness of the Pauillac appellation stems from its poor, stony soil. The hilltops consist of gravel over clay, a composition that promotes excellent drainage. This gravel dates from the Quaternary period and is known as “Graves Garonnaises.”

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande remains faithful to the tradition of hand-harvesting. Each year, more than 100 people—often the same families from Andalusia—harvest the estate’s grapes according to the degree of ripeness and the age of the plots: Merlot, an early-ripening variety, kicks off the harvest, while Cabernet and Petit Verdot, late-ripening varieties, bring it to a close. A rigorous sorting process takes place in the vineyards and upon arrival at the reception vat.

The diversity of the plots, resulting from the soil composition and the varieties planted, explains the complex character of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande’s wines. On the palate, the pronounced tannins appear ripe and well-integrated, revealing a firm structure, surprising suppleness, perfect harmony, and a long finish. Even when young, the wine is seductive without compromising its aging potential. The Réserve de la Comtesse also offers roundness and finesse with its aromas of red fruits and delicate oak notes.