Pichon Lalande 2000

Pauillac, Second Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy

Tasting Notes
Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. As usual, this Pichon-Lalande is a capricious, vexing Pauillac. Initially I gave it the benefit of doubt, finding that obvious herbaceous quality a quirk that lent it character. However, the longer I leave this and returning to taste it 2-3 times over the course of two hours, that quirk becomes more and more like a weakness, vegetal rather than leafy, a sore that refuses to heal and festers with time. The palate is similarly not easy to pin down. It is attractive in that leafy, autumnal way, but again the longer I leave it in the glass, the more that under-ripeness begins to dominate the entire wine. This is a troublesome Pichon-Lalande. Tasted March 2010. Score: 87 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 September 2010
Sitting next to my former colleague, Pierre Antoine Rovani, at one of the tastings, he commented that he didn’t like the striking green note in the aromatics of this wine, which I didn’t detect at all, and a subsequent bottle at another tasting did not reveal it either. I do think there is a hint of bay leaf and a meatiness to it. In short, I find this to be a spectacular Pichon Lalande. Dense purple in color, with loads of coffee, mocha, creme de cassis, and chocolate notes, this is a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and a whooping 10% Petit Verdot, with a little bit of Cabernet Franc. The Petit Verdot certainly gives the wine more of a tapenade, floral note, which I think can be interpreted by some as herbal. This is a rich, opulent, stunning Pichon Lalande that is beginning to drink beautifully, yet should continue to improve for at least another 10-15 years and last 30 or more years. Score: 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2050 01 June 2010
The 2000 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is spectacular, and certainly a noteworthy rival to the 1996, 1995, and even the extraordinary 1982. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this effort has a dense saturated purple color, a singular/distinctive yet possibly controversial aromatic smorgasbord existing of creme de cassis, vanilla, and violets, but also tapenade and tree bark. No doubt the Petit Verdot has imparted a certain almost olive-like component to the wine's aromatic profile. In the mouth, it is a wine of extraordinary density, opulence, great presence, and richness. As the 2000 sits in the glass, notes of lavender and melted licorice emerge along with the distinctive tapenade aromas interwoven with creme de cassis, espresso roast, and cedar. The wine is full-bodied, with extraordinary purity and a tremendous texture. I suspect this wine will be relatively approachable young but evolve effortlessly. This is a dramatic, almost flamboyant style that is not classic Pauillac in one sense, but a classic wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. Score: 97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2025 01 April 2003
Bluer than the Pichon-Longueville by quite a margin. A hint of herbaceousness. Pretty. Not excessively ripe. Neat and vibrant but it may disappoint those looking for mass and ripeness? Certainly very 'fresh'. Maybe just a bit too much so for expectations of this vintage and this appellation. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 23 March 2010
Good full medium ruby. Rather wild aromas of plum, black raspberry, lead pencil, tobacco, minerals and roasted game. Sweet, thick and complex, with very ripe, mellow flavors of black raspberry, truffle, roasted herbs, espresso and tobacco. Will rely more on its firm tannins than its rather soft, harmonious acids for longevity. This very persistent wine may be starting to shut down in the bottle, but it displays the lovely penetrating sweetness of the year. Score: 94 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2003
Classic character. Intense aromas of currant and minerals follow through to full-bodied palate, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Some people find this herbaceous, but it reminds me of a currant bush more than something green. This character is due to a higher percent of Petit Verdot than normal. Muscular Pichon. Score: 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2003

Tasting Notes

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. As usual, this Pichon-Lalande is a capricious, vexing Pauillac. Initially I gave it the benefit of doubt, finding that obvious herbaceous quality a quirk that lent it character. However, the longer I leave this and returning to taste it 2-3 times over the course of two hours, that quirk becomes more and more like a weakness, vegetal rather than leafy, a sore that refuses to heal and festers with time. The palate is similarly not easy to pin down. It is attractive in that leafy, autumnal way, but again the longer I leave it in the glass, the more that under-ripeness begins to dominate the entire wine. This is a troublesome Pichon-Lalande. Tasted March 2010.

Score: 87

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 September 2010

Sitting next to my former colleague, Pierre Antoine Rovani, at one of the tastings, he commented that he didn’t like the striking green note in the aromatics of this wine, which I didn’t detect at all, and a subsequent bottle at another tasting did not reveal it either. I do think there is a hint of bay leaf and a meatiness to it. In short, I find this to be a spectacular Pichon Lalande. Dense purple in color, with loads of coffee, mocha, creme de cassis, and chocolate notes, this is a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and a whooping 10% Petit Verdot, with a little bit of Cabernet Franc. The Petit Verdot certainly gives the wine more of a tapenade, floral note, which I think can be interpreted by some as herbal. This is a rich, opulent, stunning Pichon Lalande that is beginning to drink beautifully, yet should continue to improve for at least another 10-15 years and last 30 or more years.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2050 01 June 2010

The 2000 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is spectacular, and certainly a noteworthy rival to the 1996, 1995, and even the extraordinary 1982. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, this effort has a dense saturated purple color, a singular/distinctive yet possibly controversial aromatic smorgasbord existing of creme de cassis, vanilla, and violets, but also tapenade and tree bark. No doubt the Petit Verdot has imparted a certain almost olive-like component to the wine's aromatic profile. In the mouth, it is a wine of extraordinary density, opulence, great presence, and richness. As the 2000 sits in the glass, notes of lavender and melted licorice emerge along with the distinctive tapenade aromas interwoven with creme de cassis, espresso roast, and cedar. The wine is full-bodied, with extraordinary purity and a tremendous texture. I suspect this wine will be relatively approachable young but evolve effortlessly. This is a dramatic, almost flamboyant style that is not classic Pauillac in one sense, but a classic wine. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.

Score: 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2025 01 April 2003

Bluer than the Pichon-Longueville by quite a margin. A hint of herbaceousness. Pretty. Not excessively ripe. Neat and vibrant but it may disappoint those looking for mass and ripeness? Certainly very 'fresh'. Maybe just a bit too much so for expectations of this vintage and this appellation.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 23 March 2010

Good full medium ruby. Rather wild aromas of plum, black raspberry, lead pencil, tobacco, minerals and roasted game. Sweet, thick and complex, with very ripe, mellow flavors of black raspberry, truffle, roasted herbs, espresso and tobacco. Will rely more on its firm tannins than its rather soft, harmonious acids for longevity. This very persistent wine may be starting to shut down in the bottle, but it displays the lovely penetrating sweetness of the year.

Score: 94

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2003

Classic character. Intense aromas of currant and minerals follow through to full-bodied palate, with loads of velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Some people find this herbaceous, but it reminds me of a currant bush more than something green. This character is due to a higher percent of Petit Verdot than normal. Muscular Pichon.

Score: 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2003

Your Lists & Checkout

New Arrivals

Advanced Search

wine regions

quick links

Pichon Lalande 2000

Pauillac, Second Growth

search wines

Full wine List

RSS feeds

wine regions

join our mailing list