Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2011

Sylvie Cazes is continuing a fine tradition at Pichon Lalande. This fine vineyard, situated next to Chateau Latour produces outstanding, linear, Pauillacs which age gracefully and speak of finesse and hidden power. Whilst Baron continues to produce big, impressive wines, Lalande focus on classicism and elegance. Fashioned from 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet France, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2011 Pichon Lalande displays a characteristic bouquet of cut flowers, cassis and Asian spice. There is great depth and concentration here; masculine, muscled, this handsome Pauillac is tremendously suave and understated. Cool cassis flavours build and build, so much so that one barely detects the wonderfully fine tannic structure. A very moreish Lalande that promises a great deal for those with patience – excellent.