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Pichon Lalande 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Label

Tasting Notes

An eternal wine, the 2010 Pichon Lalande is a total showstopper. The first impression is one of explosive power, but time in the glass brings out the wine’s more delicate, floral side. Violet, graphite, crème de cassis, licorice and menthol overtones recall the 1996, but the tannins here are much softer, sweeter and more polished. In two recent tastings, the 2010 has been positively stellar. The alternation of hot days and cool nights led to a late harvest. The Cabernet Sauvignon harvest did not start until October 7; by that date in 2009 all the fruit was in. Readers who can still find the 2010 should not hesitate, as it is a modern-day classic. That’s all there is to it. 2025 - 2060

98+
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, October 2017

The 2010 Pichon Lalande is performing extremely well and at the top of the range I predicted several years ago. A final blend dominated much more by Cabernet Sauvignon than usual (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot), the wine is a tighter, more tannic and structured version of this famed Pauillac, which often tends to have more of a St-Julien-like personality than most Pauillacs. Structured, backward and tannic, yet showing a fat mid-palate that is more savory, broader and more expansive than I remember from barrel, this wine is somewhat reminiscent of the 1986, given the Cabernet Sauvignon domination of the blend. Full-bodied, impressively endowed, and less sexy and velvety than normal, this is a somewhat different style of Pichon Lalande than most readers have been used to. Whether you like it more or less will depend on your point of view, but this wine, unlike most Pichon Lalandes, needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring and should keep for 30+ years. Drink 2018-2048.

95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

The 2010 Pichon-Lalande is again, very deep in colour. It has a compact nose that demands aeration, opening up with blackberry, raspberry coulis, graphite and light iris aromas, all well defined but implying that it has more to give in the future. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a little peppery in style with a smooth and harmonious, more Saint-Julien like finish. It is an extremely charming and drinkable Pauillac though and it has the substance to age for many years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink:2023-2050

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2020

This is a pretty and refined Pichon Lalande. Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of earth and mushrooms. Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. I slightly prefer the 2009. Better in 2017.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

2010 Pichon Lalande is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot and has a deep garnet color. It storms out of the glass with powerful notes of baked black plums, mocha, tar, and licorice, followed by a core of blackcurrant jelly, laced with bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut, muscular and impactful, framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy. Approachable now, it is still a little tight and I would give it another 5 years or so to really hit its stride, then drink it over the next 20 years+.

95+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, November 2022

Silky, sweet black fruit, black olive and truffle notes from the start. This is majestically impressive - it sparks to life in your mouth and breaks out an involuntary smile. The texture is just liquid silk and it slowly but surely builds through the palate, gaining in confidence and totally delightful. Bright, vibrant tannins make the most of the high levels of acidity that were available in 2010, while matching them pace for pace with concentrated fruit. For me this is getting better as it ages, starting to rival the 1982 at Comtesse, and I can't wait to keep tasting it over the decades to come. Last time I rated this wine, in 2016, I gave it 98 points, and I questioned whether to keep it there, which is already an exceptional score, but I want to mark just how clearly it stood out in this horizontal. 60% new oak.

Drinking Window 2022 - 2050

100
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, January 2020

17 Drink 2020-2030
Tasted open 7 Apr: Very, very deep crimson. Savoury yet rich - a most attractive mix! Just a little raw; is there much Petit Verdot in this? (No, just 3%, and 7% Cabernet Franc.) Very drying tannins. Not sure it's quite a dense as it needs to be for the tannin content. Inky. The gap between grand vin and second wine seems unexpectedly narrow here this year. Perhaps this was just not a good day for the grand vin? I will taste it blind tomorrow…
Tasted blind 8 Apr: Dark, intense crimson. Very rich and supple. Round and flattering. Mid weight and nicely balanced. Very easy, representative, succulent example of 2010. Lots of integrity. (Score: 17+ 20-35)

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

One of THE great names of the Médoc and a true "super-second". Pichon Lalande is one of the most demanded wines of Bordeaux. It is especially popular in the Far East thanks to its slightly exotic, spicy character and plump ripe fruit and polished texture. The Chateau is now owned by Champagne house Louis Roederer. The 2010 is made from 66%Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3 % Petit Verdot. This is so different from the other second growths. It's certainly not a blockbuster, but a wine of great class and sophistication. This is VERY Pichon Lalande with red cherries, exotic Asian spices and a creamy texture. Fleshy, supple and beautifully polished. Some critics will probably accuse this wine of being light-weight but this is not a wine that is trying to win a strong-man competition. Lovely Pichon.

94
Farr Vintners, April 2011

Sweet black fruits give richness on the nose but on the palate bilberry freshness ensures a lighter more elegant feel to the mid palate. The black fruits have a floral charm the freshness rather overtaken by the powerhouse of black cherry and cassis that shows at the back.

94/96
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011
97
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2011

Lovely expression of supple, rich fruit, beautiful middle palate, lacks perhaps the power of some wines in this vintage, but makes up for it in polish and elegance. Drink 2020-40.

18.5
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

2010 Pichon Lalande: I tasted the 2010 Pichon Lalande on three separate occasions, two consistent and one that underperformed, hence the question mark. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it reveals an opaque purple color as well as a thick, unctuous style with fresh blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with hints of graphite, herbs and coffee. The vintage's tell-tale minerality is present in this structured, tannic, backward effort. It will require 5-6 years of cellaring and should age for 25-30 years.

92/95+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted at the château as part of a private vertical. The 2010 Pichon-Lalande is going to be a modern day benchmark and in many ways, surpasses even the great wines such as the 1982, 1986 and 1996. It has a stunning, intense blackberry, mineral-laden nose that is suffused with great tension and vigour. The palate is medium-bodied but do not let that full you. Here is a Pauillac brimming with tension and focus, the wine achieving tremendous precision on its long and persistent finish. Outstanding. Tasted March 2014.

97
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, September 2014

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. Like the Grand Puy Lacoste 2010, the Pichon Lalande has a very attractive sea-influenced bouquet with brine and estuary scents infusing the crisp black fruit that gain intensity in the glass, yet remain very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, perfectly judged acidity, silky smooth texture and a complete, harmonious finish that is very seductive. Beautiful. Tasted January 2014.

95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2014

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the Pichon Lalande has a generous blackberry and cassis-driven bouquet that is pure and harmonious. It is floral compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a caressing, creamy textured opening that is very seductive. The oak is nicely integrated here - a flattering 2010 in the context of the vintage with a sensual, silky smooth finish. It is a little more open than I was expecting, but it will still benefit from three to five years cellaring. Perhaps this is one of the few Pauillacs where I err towards the 2009, yet this still represents a superb wine from the estate. Tasted November 2012

95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose with blackberry, rose petal, pencil box and a touch of cedar all with very fine definition. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, very harmonious and focused, fine mineralité coming through, sensual and velvety towards the ripe finish. Extremely pure but powerful, this is a precise, brilliantly executed Pichon-Lalande. I bet Sylvie Cazes is hoping that all vintages will be like this. Drink 2016-2040. Tasted March 2011.

95/97
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande gives up notes of warm cassis, blueberry pie and kirsch with wafts of cedar chest, pencil lead, charcoal and charcuterie plus a hint of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied, the savory-inspired palate possesses a fair bit of chew with a lively backbone and firm finish.2020-2048

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.