Pichon Lalande is easily one of the greatest wines of the Medoc, frequently vying with and sometimes exceeding the first growths in quality. It has its roots in the Pichon estate, which was split in 1850 into the two parts thereafter known as Pichon Baron and Pichon Lalande. From 1978 until 2007, Pichon Lalande was owned and managed by the redoubtable May Eliane de Lencquesaing. A powerful ambassador for Bordeaux worldwide, she oversaw many great vintages, the expansion of the vineyard and the rising profile of Pichon Lalande. In 2007, under pressure from other shareholders to sell, Pichon Lalande finally left family ownership and passed into the hands of Louis Roederer Champagne.

The Roederer era has been a great one thus far, with huge investments in the cellar. Nicolas Glumineau arrived in 2012 ex of Chateau Montrose, and has been a brilliant technical manager for Pichon ever since, comfortably vindicating Pichon Lalande’s super-second status.

The chateau could hardly ask for better neighbours, with the vineyards sandwiched between Latour and Pichon Baron. The Chateau counts no less that 10 different soil types across its vineyards, with many variations on the Garonne deep-gravels-over-clay theme. The predominance of iron-rich clay (more than in most of Pauillac) explains why historically there was a high proportion of Merlot here, though replanting over the last two decades in particular has substantially increased the presence of Cabernet Sauvignon. There is also a brilliant second wine, Pichon Comtesse Reserve, that is often better than some first wines elsewhere. (NT 05/08/25)