Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande

Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac [BS], 1985

Name: Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac [BS]
Brand: Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande
Price: 1728 GBP

Available Vintages

all 1985

critic reviews

91/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 1985 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a vintage that was overshadowed by the superior 1986. Over a dozen encountered over the years has consistently proven that this was always an open and generous Pauillac with modest ambitions. This has fragrant dark berry fruit with a light algae-like tincture, then later hints of iris flower. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshier than the aforementioned '86, and soft tannins with gentle grip lead to a peppery finish. A bit soft and squidgy perhaps, but it slips down the throat with ease. I know there are better bottles than this example. Tasted in October 2024 at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.

date of review 06/2025

94/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

The 1985 Pichon Lalande has a deep brick color. It offers up a tantalizing perfume of potpourri, Chinese five spice, and incense, followed by suggestions of Christmas puddling, dried cherries, cigar box, and dried mandarin peel. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and lively with delicate, mature plum preserves and spicy flavors, supported by powdery tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced.

DRINKING WINDOW 2022 - 2032

date of review 11/2022

88/100Neal Martin,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Tasted at the property, the 1985 Pichon Lalande is fully matured on the feral, tertiary nose, and like the bottle I tasted a couple of years ago, this has recently become much more diffuse than exemplary showing during the 1990s and 2000s. The palate is fleshy and smooth like many wines of this vintage, but in recent years, the tannins have become and little edgier, the fruit degraded and turning quite mushroom-like and earthy on the finish. I would broach bottles of this over the next five years, because I feel that it is drying out. Tasted March 2016.

DRINKING WINDOW 2017 - 2021

date of review 07/2016