Pichon Lalande 1985

This bottle of 1985 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande was opened by Nicolas Glumineau at the château, so provenance is impeccable. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the best examples that I have encountered, much better than the one opened six months previously. The nose offers dark berry fruit again, cedar, iris flower and graphite—here, the Cabernet Sauvignon component is more expressive, more "alive". The palate is beautifully balanced, pliant and velvety in texture with black fruit and fluid tannins. A little more grip towards the finish makes it very harmonious, perhaps more luxuriant than I recall on any other bottle. Irresistible. Tasted at the château in April 2025. Drink 2025-2045.

This is a great Pichon-Lalande wallowing in its maturity. Here it retains that enticing tobacco-infused nose with leather and a touch of thyme, the palate beautifully balanced with tarry black fruit, vibrant acidity, mellow and supple with a touch of game coming through. Supple with firm tannins marrying naturally on the finish that has the texture (though not alcohol!) of a tawny port. I suspect this has no intention of ameliorating further and alongside the 1983, these are the Pichon Lalande’s to start depleting in your cellar. Drink now-2018. Tasted January 2010.