Tasting Notes
Neal Martin 93
The 2001 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a vintage that I was surprised to discover I had not tasted for a decade. Showing light bricking on the rim, it has an open nose of brambly red berry fruit intermixed with cola, sage and tobacco, the relative higher proportion of Merlot rendering a different Grand Vin compared to nowadays. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe and now quite melted tannins. Savory in style, this is becoming quite a Saint-Julien-like Pauillac, hints of dried blood developing toward the finish as secondary notes become more pronounced. This is now reaching its maturity, although it has the substance to last another 20-some years.
Anticipated maturity: 2021-2050
Stephen Tanzer 92
Red-ruby. Enticing aromas of plum, woodsmoke and Cuban tobacco. Lush, silky and suave, with intriguing hints of mocha and cedar. A wonderfully sweet, impeccably balanced claret without any rough edges. Finishes long and firmly tannic.
Wine Advocate 93
Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. This has quite a precocious bouquet with raspberry jam, boysenberry, marmalade and pencil shavings. Very fine delineation and lift, certainly more backward than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with structure tannins, just a hint of brine on the entry, good depth of black fruit with a sinewy, grippy blackberry and cedar-infused finish. One has the feeling that this has more to offer over the next decade. Tasted March 2011.
JancisRobinson.com 17
Very broad and evolved. Much sweeter than most of the 2001 left-bank classed growths with a touch of inkiness. Not quite as well integrated as some of its peers.
Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023
