Chateau Pichon Lalande

Located in Pauillac between top estates, Chateau Latour and Chateau Pichon Baron, Château Pichon-Lalande (shorthand for Chateau Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande) is a highly regarded 2nd Growth estate that Antonio Galloni describes as the “single hottest chateau on Bordeaux’s Left Bank right now.” Ranked as a 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification, Pichon-Lalande is today revered as a "Super Second" — a distinction accorded to those outperforming their historical ranking. The caliber of Pichon-Lalande is such that it is often regarded as near-equal to First Growth quality, contending closely with other highly regarded estates such as St. Julien’s Léoville-Las Cases and St. Estèphe’s Cos d’Estournel. Since 2010, it has earned four perfect 100-point scores from top wine critics, showcasing its continued standing as a paragon of Bordeaux.

Pichon Lalande History

Over the centuries, three prominent French wine families have been stewards of this outstanding property. Once part of the larger Pichon estate, Chateau Pichon-Lalande was inherited by three sisters upon Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville's passing in 1850, with the remaining portion passed to his sons, forming the separate Chateau Pichon-Baron. Taking control of her sisters' property, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, known as the Comtesse de Lalande, took the helm, with the estate remaining in the family until 1925.

In 1925, the Mailhe brothers assumed control, shepherding the estate into its modern era under the watch of three successive generations, the last of which, May-Eliane Mailhe, took over in 1978. May-Eliane oversaw significant vineyard expansion, more than doubling plantings with a particular emphasis on merlot, and tirelessly advocated for Pichon-Lalande’s reputation internationally. Without an heir to bear the mantle, Chateau Pichon Lalande found new shepherds in the Rouzauds, 7th-generation owners of the family-run Champagne house Louis Roederer.

Louis Roederer Ownership of Chateau Pichon Lalande

Following its 2007 acquisition by Champagne house Louis Roederer, a $15 million investment was made to upgrade facilities, enlist top experts, and convert to full biodynamics in the vineyard, ensuring Pichon-Lalande's continued legacy on the global stage. By 2012, the immense overhaul unveiled a gravity-centric vat room, controlled stainless steel vats enabling meticulous vinification, and an underground cellar. A seasoned veteran of Haut-Brion, Margaux, and Montrose, Nicolas Glumineau guided the estate through its transformative years, and today the estate is managed by Sylvie Cazes, of the Lynch-Bages' Cazes family.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Terroir

Situated directly adjacent to First Growth titan Chateau Latour, Pichon-Lalande shares prime real estate along the Gironde estuary, where "the best vines can see the river," according to an old Bordelais adage. In the 20th century, Pichon Lalande expanded its vineyards to nearly 247 acres of land, divided into six blocks and 65 individual parcels.

Unusual for Pauillac, the deep gravel soils are planted to a comparatively high proportion of merlot, with plantings amounting to 61% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 3% petit verdot. The average vine age is around 40 years, with some reaching past an astonishing 90 years. Organic and biodynamic measures were put into place starting in 2014 with a full biodynamic conversion of vineyards culminating in Demeter certification in 2021.

Pichon Lalande Wine Style

Over the years since the original Pichon property split, the two estates diverged stylistically, with Pichon-Lalande showcasing a charming, more feminine character to Pichon-Baron's more masculine, powerful expression. The higher proportion of merlot— typically a third of the final blend— is much higher than usual in Pauillac. Aromatically, Pichon Lalande's wines exhibits black plum and blackcurrant, but merlot additionally inspires less new oak usage, developing a more elegant texture and feminine expression. 

The Continuing Legacy

Among Pauillac's many distinct producers, Chateau Pichon-Lalande provides incredible value as a top Super Second, ensuring better price points for wine collectors. Pichon Lalande's unwavering commitment to quality is a testament to their wine’s ability to mature gracefully for decades and back-vintage bottlings are a chance to experience the complexities and nuances that develop in only the finest Bordeaux, without needing to contend with First Growth prices.