2017 Pichon Lalande
By Chateau Pichon Lalande
2017 Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In the illustrious cavalcade of Bordeaux vintages, the 2017 iteration of Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande sits with an understated grace. While perhaps eclipsed in grandeur by powerhouse years like 2015 and 2016, the finesse and resilience of this vintage must not be overlooked by collectors and investors alike seeking to enhance their cache with a sleeper jewel.
The Year That Tempered Strength with Finesse
Remembered for its frost-stricken start, 2017 whispered promises of despair to Pauillac vignerons. But against all odds, Chateau Pichon Lalande crafted a vintage that defied these harsh climatic beginnings—a testament to the remarkable dexterity of their winemaking savoir-faire. It is within this challenging context that this vintage has carved out its distinctive character.
Profiling the 2017 Vintage
The alchemy of weather and winemaking has interlaced to fashion the 2017 Pichon Lalande—an admirable blend skilfully composed predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. In your glass, behold a mesmerising ruby hue that gives way to an ensemble of aromatics grounded firmly in Pauillac’s gravelly terroir; cassis takes centre stage while fragments of pencil shavings and violet quintessentially accentuate its lineage.
On the palate, this wine unfolds with layered elegance—black fruits entwined with fine tannins and a veritable balance hinting at its latent power without brash insistence. Subtle oak integration heralds a smoky whisper through its lengthy finish.
Investment Potential
The sagacious investor will spot the opportunity in the 2017 Pichon Lalande—from Chateau Pichon Lalande's storied cellars—as a poised contender for those who appreciate refinement tempered by adversity. Certain to evolve splendidly with time, it is an advisable addition to a balanced portfolio—one that acknowledges the merit in equanimity amidst tempestuous years.
A Connoisseur’s Summary
While forging ahead into modernity, Chateau Pichon Lalande remains anchored in tradition—a dualism that is impeccably captured in this redolent vintage. For those yearning for a blend of complexity and maturity, the 2017 Pichon Lalande paints an articulate narrative of resilience—the unwavering spirit of Bordeaux deftly encapsulated in a bottle.
Market price (HKD)
HK$10,514.79
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
68.75
Scores and tasting notes
This is a really fascinating young Pichon Lalande with a dense center palate of currants, crushed stones, salt and seashells. Really long and intense. Wonderful energy. Showing character of some of the top years of the 1980s.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is a little closed to begin, soon revealing floral notes of lilacs and lavender over a core of black raspberries, warm blackberries and forest floor plus touches of star anise and stewed black tea. Medium-bodied, the palate is a bundle of energy and tension with softly played tannins and beautiful floral and black fruit layers, finishing with a long-lingering whisper.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 16 March 2020
This barrel sample is 100% new oak, whereas the final blend will be only 60% new oak. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is very deep garnet-purple in color with an incredibly fragrant nose of roses, lavender and baking spices over a core of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and fresh plums plus touches of iron ore and underbrush. Medium-bodied and elegant with firm, grainy tannins, it's quite taut and muscular, with lots of perfumed and mineral layers and a long finish with lingering cinnamon and anise notes.
Wine Advocate - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - robertparker.com
Solid, with a rounded, enticing core of plum and black currant preserve flavors supported by savory and tobacco notes. Has sleek tannins and fresh acidity for ample length and a nice graphite edge at the end.—J.M.
Wine Spectator - James Molesworth - winespectator.com
The 2017 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is gorgeous, but it is also going to need time to come together. The sensuality and allure typical of so many Pauillacs is not at all evident here. A rush of dark cherry, plum, smoke, charcoal and exotic spice make a strong opening statement in a powerful Pichon Comtesse that is not ready to show all of its cards. The 2017 was incredibly reticent in several tastings, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term potential. Today, though, the 2017 is dense, powerful and closed in on itself, without the layers that define the 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Antonio Galloni - Antonio Galloni - vinous.com - May '18
The 2017 Pichon-Lalande was picked from 7 September to 2 October and underwent a 23 day cuvaison period. It is intense on the nose, the new oak coming through a little strongly since the sample came from a new barrel, the final blend consisting of 60% new wood. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, the Cabernet Sauvignon driving this alone with layers of black fruit laced with cedar and graphite. It is a very “Pauillac” Pichon Lalande, less opulent and giving than recent vintages and more in the style of say, the 1996 or 2010. There is very good persistence on the saline finish but it is clearly a wine that is going to require more cellaring than its peers. Tasted four times in total, each time this gained more substance and density.
Neal Martin - Neal Martin - vinous.com - May '18