Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2015

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2015 is a Pauillac Second Growth Bordeaux red wine at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. This vintage showcases the estate's signature elegance, driven by a higher-than-typical proportion of Merlot for the appellation and 18 months of barrel aging in 60% new oak.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Estate: Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Deuxième Cru Classé, 1855 Classification)

Production & Heritage

The original Pichon-Longueville estate was divided in 1850, with the portion inherited by Virginie, Comtesse de Lalande, becoming the property known today. Classified as a Second Growth in the landmark 1855 Classification of Médoc wines, the estate was acquired by the Rouzaud family of Champagne Louis Roederer in 2007. The 2015 grand vin is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot — a notably Merlot-rich composition for Pauillac, which contributes to the wine's hallmark finesse and roundness rather than the pure Cabernet austerity of many neighboring estates. The wine spent 18 months aging in barrels, with 60% new oak lending structure without dominating the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated crème de cassis and black raspberries, layered with spring flowers and leafy herbs. Deeper breathing reveals lead pencil minerality and a subtle licorice undercurrent that adds complexity.

Taste: The entry is seamless and full-bodied, delivering ultra-pure cassis and blackberry fruit with striking intensity. Mid-palate, ripe tannins frame a juicy, fruit-forward core balanced by fresh acidity. Dark fruits deepen at the peak, joined by nuanced licorice and a layered mineral thread.

Finish: Long and juicy, the finish carries dark fruit, crushed red currant, and a persistent graphite note. The tannins resolve with suave elegance, leaving a poised and richly endowed impression that rewards patience.

How to Drink Pichon Comtesse 2015

This wine is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from at least an hour of decanting to open its layered aromatics. Young and concentrated, it rewards serious attention neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. While primarily a wine for the table rather than cocktails, it pairs beautifully with food-centric occasions — see pairings below.

Best For

• Cellaring for a special anniversary or milestone — the 2015 vintage has strong aging potential through the 2040s and beyond
• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector or wine enthusiast
• Anchoring a formal dinner party with classic French cuisine
• Marking a birth-year or vintage-year celebration with a prestigious Left Bank Bordeaux

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pichon Comtesse 2015 taste like? The dominant profile centers on concentrated cassis, black raspberries, and blackberries, supported by licorice, spring flowers, and graphite minerality. It is full-bodied yet remarkably elegant, with fresh acidity balancing its rich fruit intensity.

How does Pichon Comtesse compare to Pichon Baron? Both estates share the same historical origin — the original Pichon-Longueville property was split in 1850 — but their styles diverge significantly. Pichon Comtesse uses a much higher percentage of Merlot, resulting in a more elegant, supple, and finesse-driven wine, while Pichon Baron tends toward a more structured, Cabernet-dominated power profile.

Is Pichon Comtesse 2015 good for cellaring? The 2015 is richly concentrated with ripe tannins and fresh acidity, giving it a strong structural foundation for extended aging. It can be enjoyed now with decanting but should continue to evolve and improve for decades in proper cellar conditions.

Where is Pichon Comtesse made? Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is located in the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate sits adjacent to the famed Château Latour and directly across from its sibling property, Château Pichon Baron.

What foods pair well with Pichon Comtesse 2015? Roast rack of lamb with herbes de Provence complements the wine's cassis and herbal aromatics. Grilled ribeye steak matches its full-bodied tannin structure. Duck confit echoes its richness while cutting through the wine's fruit density. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese brings out the mineral undertones. A black truffle risotto amplifies the earthy, licorice-like complexity.

What sizes does Pichon Comtesse 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though Bordeaux estates of this caliber typically also produce magnums (1.5L) and occasionally larger formats such as double magnums and imperials for collectors.

Is Pichon Comtesse 2015 worth the price? Pichon Comtesse positions as a premier Second Growth Bordeaux, placing it in the upper-premium tier — below First Growths but among the most respected wines of the Left Bank. The 2015 vintage is widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's finest recent years, and the wine's concentration, elegance, and aging potential align with its classification status and price point.

Why Pichon Comtesse 2015?

What sets Pichon Comtesse apart within Pauillac is its unusually Merlot-rich blend — 29% in 2015 — which softens the appellation's characteristically firm Cabernet backbone into something more suave and texturally seamless. The 2015 growing season in Bordeaux was marked by ideal late-summer warmth and balanced rainfall, producing deeply concentrated yet harmonious wines across the region. At Pichon Comtesse, this translated into a wine that is both richly endowed and poised, showing the estate's defining personality of elegance, balance, and finesse. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a Left Bank Bordeaux that marries power with refinement from an outstanding vintage, the 2015 Comtesse is a benchmark expression of the property.