Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Collection

An Iconic Legacy of Grace and Excellence

Affectionately known simply as Pichon Comtesse or Pichon Lalande, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of the most famous and highly acclaimed estates in all of Bordeaux. Classified as a Deuxième Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the official 1855 Bordeaux Classification, the property was formed in 1850 when the original domain of Pierre de Rauzan was divided between Virginie de Pichon Longueville (the Comtesse de Lalande) and her brother, who inherited what became Pichon Baron.

Guided for decades in the 20th century by the charismatic May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the estate cemented its reputation as a "Super Second"—frequently producing wines that rival First Growths in complexity and critical praise. Acquired in 2007 by Champagne Louis Roederer (under the leadership of Frédéric Rouzaud), the château has undergone significant modernization, including a state-of-the-art gravity-fed cellar designed to preserve the estate’s hallmark aromatic purity and silky finesse.

Border Terroir & Exotic Blend Harmony

Spanning 89 hectares in southern Pauillac, the vineyards of Pichon Comtesse sit directly adjacent to First Growth Château Latour and extend slightly across the border into the Saint-Julien appellation. The deep, well-draining gravel beds over clay and sandstone subsoils impart a unique dual character of Pauillac power and Saint-Julien polish:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (~61%): Provides structural backbone, fresh acidity, dark cassis fruit, and notes of crushed graphite and cedarwood.

• Merlot (~32%): A historically high proportion for a Pauillac estate. Grown on clay-heavy gravel parcels, it lends the wine its famous supple flesh, cashmere texture, cocoa notes, and voluptuous mid-palate roundness.

• Cabernet Franc (~4%) & Petit Verdot (~3%): Adds delicate violet florals, fresh spice, and vibrant color density.

With precision parcel-by-parcel farming and gentle extraction in custom thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, the Grand Vin is aged in French oak barrels (typically 50% to 60% new) for 18 to 20 months to achieve perfect aromatic integration.

The World-Class Wine Portfolio

• Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Grand Vin - Deuxième Cru Classé): The ultimate expression of seductive elegance, complexity, and power. Renowned for its intoxicating perfume of violets, crème de cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco, and subtle cedar, it coats the palate with fine, seamless tannins. Exceptional aging capacity of 20 to 50+ years.

• Réserve de la Comtesse (Second Wine): Created in 1973, Réserve de la Comtesse is crafted from younger vines and selected parcels across the estate. Sharing the same signature finesse and silky charm as the Grand Vin, it offers bright blackberry, plum, and soft spice with earlier accessibility. Enjoyable over a 10 to 20-year window.

Epicurean Food Pairings

• Château Pichon Comtesse Grand Vin: Roasted rack of lamb with a herb crust, pan-seared duck breast with cherry reduction, roasted venison, braised veal shank, or wild mushroom risotto topped with black truffles.

• Réserve de la Comtesse: Prime sirloin steak, braised short ribs, roasted pheasant, grilled pork tenderloin, or aged artisan cheeses like Comté and Saint-Nectaire.