château pichon longueville comtesse de lalande 2022

château pichon longueville comtesse de lalande, often referred to as pichon lalande, is an esteemed winery located in the pauillac appellation of bordeaux, france. it is classified as a deuxième cru (second growth) in the bordeaux wine official classification of 1855, indicating its historical significance and consistent quality. the estate has a rich heritage that traces back to the late 17th century when it was founded by pierre de mazure de rauzan. over the years, it passed through various ownerships until it was acquired by the miailhe family in 1925. the miailhe family played a crucial role in transforming and elevating the reputation of pichon lalande to its current status. the vineyards of pichon lalande cover approximately 89 hectares (220 acres) and are primarily planted with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot grape varieties. the vineyard's terroir features deep gravelly soils, which contribute to the wines' concentration, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. winemaking at pichon lalande follows traditional practices with a focus on preserving the character of the terroir. the grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted before fermentation. the wine is then aged in oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, for an extended period. this oak aging allows the wines to develop complexity, structure, and integrate flavors. pichon lalande wines are known for their elegance, finesse, and remarkable aging potential. they often exhibit a deep ruby color, with aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, and cassis, accompanied by floral notes, spices, and hints of tobacco. on the palate, they offer a harmonious balance of fruit, refined tannins, and vibrant acidity, leading to a long and persistent finish. the estate also produces a second wine called "réserve de la comtesse," which showcases a more approachable and youthful expression of the pichon lalande style. pichon lalande has established itself as one of the iconic producers in bordeaux, consistently delivering wines of exceptional quality and finesse. its wines are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs worldwide, and a visit to the estate offers a glimpse into the history and excellence of bordeaux winemaking. the 2022 pichon longueville comtesse de lalande is one wine where a comparison with this estate's magical 1982 doesn't appear to be far-fetched. wafting from the glass with deep aromas of cassis, plums, violets, rose petals, tobacco leaf and pencil shavings, it's full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with a layered, seamless core of fruit that largely conceals its chassis of powdery structuring tannin. concluding with a long, expansive and beautifully perfumed finish, it's a blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot and 5% cabernet franc that has the potential to equal or even surpass the 2019 and 2016 vintages at this address. it checks in at a very classical 13.6% alcohol and a rather high ph of 3.80.