Les Gartieux De Pichon Lalande
Dalla Valle Vineyards
Maya 2007
@Tom Garland : Well, hmm. Opened alongside a ‘95 Pichon LaLande and this left us scratching our heads.
Tried a glass at pop…uber locked up. Revisited after an hour in the decanter…improved. After two hours, it finally came alive. Needing some oxygen, this became a beautiful display of potpurri and dark floral notes…so perfumed. It fleshed out to show a sweeter espresso, dark cocoa, and ripe black fruit aromatically. Elegant and refined on the palate, with red and black berry fruit, spice, mineral/graphite and a savory truffle flair. Fine yet undeniable tannin at the finish. Undoubtedly still young, to my surprise. This may need another 5-7yrs to really get going, but I’m honestly not sure. From the few Maya wines I’ve had (including the ‘11 not too long ago), I expected fireworks. Odd. — 9 months ago
Château Talbot
Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1986
1986 vintage. 5 bottles tasted for a 1986 vintage BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. This was up against other 1986's Pichon-Lalande, Beychevelle, Gruaud-Larose, Montrose and Cos. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Respectable sed. Effin pop and pour now. Right right now. The clear winner. So good with balance and enough fruit without having to reach or rationalize. If you're not able to access for 7-10 years, you should be okay. Delicious. 3.14.24. — 2 months ago
Laurel Glen Vineyard
Sonoma Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
At peak and stunning, cassis with a bit of bell pepper and an elegance reminiscent of Pichon Lalande. — 6 months ago
Craggy Range
Sophia Gimblett Gravels Red Bordeaux Blend 2011
Red and black fruited perfume - Left Bank Bordeaux aromas and flavours. On the palate quite plush yet restrained and not as full bodied as I was hoping for. 2011 was a difficult wet vintage in many parts of Australia. I wonder if it was the same in NZ? Bob Campbell MW said 2011 was “moderately challenging “. in NZ. Nevertheless a polished wine. Postscript: I notice that Jancis compared the Sophia as a “generous antipodean answer to Pichon Lalande “ for the 2013 vintage of Sophia. — a year ago
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
1989 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Expected sed. Nice fill and one of the better corks I've seen in the last few years on a 1989 BDX. This is, by far, the oldest CLG I’ve had. The first few years are always filled with tons of fruit, richness, a rounded mouthfeel and very supple. This was tasting more like an 80’s vintage of Pichon-Lalande with the feminine characteristics except for a little beefiness around the 1.25 hours, post-decant, mark. Consistently delicious throughout the 2 hour experience. Not improving and semi-delicate but seems like it’s got 3-5 years left in this room before strolling into another. 12.15.23. — 5 months ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?
2003 a ripe, warm vintage.
Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.
First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.
Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 3 days ago