The 1988 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a spectacular example of a Pauillac Bordeaux. This 5000mL bottle offers a deep ruby red hue, with a slight brickish tinge on the edges, hinting at its age. On the nose, aromas of ripe blackcurrants, cherries, and plums are complemented by subtle notes of cedar, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied with a velvety texture, showcasing flavors of dark berries, cassis, and a touch of licorice. The tannins are well-integrated, providing a smooth and elegant finish. The 1988 vintage has aged gracefully, highlighting the finesse and complexity of this wine. It is a testament to the skill of the winemakers at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, who have produced a wine that is both powerful and refined. Enjoy this Bordeaux gem with a hearty beef dish or a selection of artisanal cheeses.
Critic Reviews
96 POINTS
Huon Hooke - The Real Review
Deep, youthful colour for its age, and a very ripe, very bright, bold, youthful bouquet - which is also how it tastes. It's rich and deep, fruit-sweet and deliciously fruited, powerful and concentrated and not at all leafy as Pichon can be. Superb flavour, power and length. And many years to go. (12.5% alc.)
90 POINTS
Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
One of the stars of the vintage, the 1988 has evolved beautifully. Dark ruby, with a full-intensity bouquet of black plums, herbs, and currants, a silky smooth texture, and full body, it is one of the most highly extracted wines of the vintage. Seductively precocious, it should drink superbly over the next 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 5/93.
James Suckling - Wine Spectator
The more I taste this, the less I like it. It has strange aromas of funk and herbal, green fruit. Medium-bodied, with medium tannins and a fruity finish.--1988 Bordeaux horizontal.
Winemakers Notes
Pichon Comtesse: an unwavering pursuit of elegance and precision
Since its foundation in 1689, only three families have been at the helm to guide Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and its wines. The Rouzaud family, founders and owners of the esteemed Louis Roederer Champagne House, have been at the helm of this estate since 2007, driven by an unwavering commitment to further enhance the stature and quality of this Second Grand Cru Classé of 1855.
Nestled ideally in Pauillac, along the banks of the Gironde Estuary, the estate boasts a sprawling 102-hectare (252-acre) vineyard. In their relentless pursuit of excellence, the dedicated teams initiated a comprehensive replanting program in 2009, a commitment that endures to this day. Each replanted plot is cultivated following biodynamic practices, and in 2021, the estate embarked on the path of conversion to Organic Farming. In 2013, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery was constructed, facilitating precision-driven vinification on a plot-by-plot basis.
The wines of Pichon Comtesse are distinguished by their remarkable equilibrium—a harmonious fusion of Pauillac's distinctive characteristics with a singular personality. They are forthright, precise, and elegant, graced with a velvety texture reminiscent of silky cashmere, setting them apart as truly exceptional.
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Tasting Notes
The 1988 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a spectacular example of a Pauillac Bordeaux. This 5000mL bottle offers a deep ruby red hue, with a slight brickish tinge on the edges, hinting at its age. On the nose, aromas of ripe blackcurrants, cherries, and plums are complemented by subtle notes of cedar, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied with a velvety texture, showcasing flavors of dark berries, cassis, and a touch of licorice. The tannins are well-integrated, providing a smooth and elegant finish. The 1988 vintage has aged gracefully, highlighting the finesse and complexity of this wine. It is a testament to the skill of the winemakers at Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, who have produced a wine that is both powerful and refined. Enjoy this Bordeaux gem with a hearty beef dish or a selection of artisanal cheeses.