In Bond Fine Wine. 2013 Château Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. Second Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 92–95/100 (AV). Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
This noble Second Growth is known for its finesse and is one of Bordeaux's most famous wines. Under Nicolas Gluminueau (formerly of Montrose) since 2013 and with the opening of a state of the art winery, Pichon Lalande has been on top form. Aromatic, sensual and serious. "Under Nicolas Glumineau, this Pauillac estate is really beginning to "motor" and this is an excellent wine, one within touching distance of the First Growths." - Neal Martin
Neal Martin (NM) — 89/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 28/10/2016 · Drink 2017-2029
The 2013 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, which as noted at the time of release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, has a fragrant bouquet that, like the deuxi'me vin, has a pungent marine influence: seaweed and touches of cockle shell, nicely defined with blackberry and briary emerging more strongly with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity with grainy tannin. There i…
Robert Parker (RP) — 87–89/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 01/08/2014 · Drink 2014-2026
A rarity in terms of the final blend for a Pichon Lalande, the 2013 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is an historic first at this estate. Only 33% of the crop made it into the final blend. New manager Nicolas Glumineau worked at Montrose until hired away by the owners, the Roederer Champagne house. Yields were absurdly low at 13 hectoliters per hectare. This hasn't translated into a blockbuster,…
Albany Vintners (AV) — 92–95/100 · -, 01/04/2014
100% Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time in history. Manager Nicolas Glumineau (formerly of Montrose) told us that the yields here were truly miniscule - 13hl/ha, the very lowest that we have heard in 2013. Production is an incredible 20% of 2012, as draconian selection saw most of the Merlot sold off in bulk. Fresh, focused, penetating nose. Classically elegant Cabernet but high-toned black fr…