Wines Pauillac Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - 1996

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1996 is a classic expression of Pauillac, a commune that sits at the heart of Bordeaux’s Left Bank. This grand vin is predominately crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, with a supporting blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The 1996 vintage was noted for its excellent conditions, characterised by a hot and dry summer that allowed grapes to reach optimal ripeness and produce wines of remarkable structure, depth, and longevity. The grapes are hand-harvested from old vines rooted in the region’s characteristic gravel soils, which encourage deep rooting and optimal drainage. The wine sees traditional vinification in stainless steel, before ageing in oak barriques, a significant proportion of which are new — lending further complexity with notes of cedar, spice, and subtle toast.

The Pauillac appellation, famed worldwide for its exceptional terroir, enjoys a temperate maritime climate, influenced heavily by the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Gravel-rich soils over deep clay create the ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon to thrive, imbuing the wines with their hallmark structure, elegance, and longevity. Pauillac’s history is interwoven with the rise of Bordeaux’s great châteaux; Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, in particular, is renowned for its finesse and accessible charm, even among the intensely structured wines of its peers.

For food pairings, this mature Pauillac lends itself beautifully to classic French cuisine. A rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic, beef Wellington, roast duck, or a rich venison stew would highlight the wine’s refined tannins and complex bouquet. Regional dishes such as entrecôte à la Bordelaise also provide a superb match, as do aged Comté or mimolette cheeses, with their nutty undertones complementing the wine’s secondary notes.

Given its maturity and depth, decanting the 1996 Comtesse de Lalande for at least an hour is advisable to allow further blossoming of aromas. Serve between 17 and 18°C to appreciate its nuanced bouquet of cassis, tobacco, leather, and a touch of truffle — the hallmarks of an excellently aged Pauillac.