2016 Pichon Longueville Lalande (Pauillac)

The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a slight animal fur scent on the nose, though there is plenty of pleasant black fruit behind it. Given time in the glass, it becomes more and more refined, more floral and almost Margaux-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fine grip, quite saline, with a judicious touch of freshly rolled tobacco towards the finish. There is a very satisfying crescendo here. A great Pauillac, albeit one that seems to have “firmed up” in recent months, as proven by another bottle opened at the property during en primeur. Give it a two- to three-hour decant if serving now. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. 96 points