Chateau Pichon Longueville Lalande 2020 En Primeur
An estate that has been on fire of late, the Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande 2020 is another brilliant wine in a succession of brilliant wines. Revealing a dense purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of black currant, scorched earth, tobacco leaf, and violets, it hits the palate with a broad, rich, yet pure, precise texture that carries fabulous tannins, perfect balance, and a stacked mid-palate. Based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, this is an incredible wine that flirts with perfection and is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, Left Bank of the vintage. Bravo. Tasted twice.
98-100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
Deep, dark and almost opaque, the nose is intoxicating with its box of spices, dark Cuban cigars, violets, lilacs, oak, herbs, roasted plums, currants and cigar box aromas. On the palate, the wine is pure silk and velvet with layer after layer of soft, textured fruit. Silky, sexy and sensual, there is richness, depth of flavor, length and purity here that is a pleasure to feel and taste. The wine combines 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, 13.6% vol 3.82 pH. Harvesting took place September 9-30. Yields were low, 30 hectoliters per hectare, 60% of the harvest went into Grand Vin.
97-99 points, Jeff Leve, wine cellar expert
This is extremely structured, but with a level of smoothness and refinement that highlights the excellence of the terroir. Very long and broad on the palate, showing class and beauty. Powerful, but ultimately comes across as refined and polished. Lovely texture.
97-98 points, James Suckling
The 2020 Pichon-Lalande has a similar backward nose to its neighbor Pichon-Baron, so I decanted the bottle for 45 minutes. It then revealed gorgeous aromas of blackberry, wild hedge, seaweed (Japanese nori) and wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with black fruit savoriness and gentle but insistent grip. Very intense but not ripe; there is a freshness to this Pauillac that I like, while the finish is very classic and leaves a lingering, slightly briny aftertaste. This is a magnificent cerebral Pichon-Lalande that will deserve serious aging and the patience of anyone still waiting for the new Cure album. Tasted three times, also straight from the chateau. Drink 2027-2055.
96-98 points, Neal Martin
Softer and silkier than many Pauillacs of the vintage, this is a clear success. Hugely silky and seductive, with grip, power and finesse. One of the appellation's best, with fine tobacco, heather and plump blueberry and cassis fruit, expertly managing the low yield of 30 hl/ha. 60% new oak. Tasted twice. Drinking 2030 - 2048.
96 points, Jane Anson, Decanter