2005 Pichon Lalande
By Chateau Pichon Lalande
2005 Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux
The illustrious 2005 vintage of Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande encapsulates the quintessence of an opulent Bordeaux year, encapsulated in a bottle that is as storied as the chateau’s pedigree. The year 2005 in Pauillac was blessed with near-perfect conditions; a warm summer bequeathed to the grapes a maturity and depth that has since been canonised in the annals of fine wine chronicles.
A Vintage Defined by Elegance and Longevity
One must pay homage to the deft craftsmanship on display with the 2005 Pichon Lalande. This particular vintage is a tapestry woven with threads of robust tannins and vibrant acidity, promising a trajectory of ageing potential that savvy wine investors find irresistibly enthralling. A generous palate laden with black currant, cedar and hints of tobacco speaks to the timeless excellence embodied by this chateau’s efforts.
Investment Worthiness Personified
In conversation with some of England’s most esteemed collectors, one will undoubtedly find praise for the investment virtues of vintages like the 2005 Pichon Lalande. It is a treasure within one’s portfolio, not simply for its inherent quality but also for its propensity to reach peak maturity at a stately pace, rewarding patience with compounded interest in sensory delight.
The essence of terroir shines through this vintage with unmistakable clarity. Earthy undertones seamlessly blend with rich cassis nuances to create a well-structured and complex profile—one that conveys the story of Pauillac’s deep gravel soils and the favourability of Bordeaux’s climatic conditions in 2005.
Distinguishing Characteristics Set in Oak and Vine
The careful maturation in oak barrels has conferred upon the 2005 Pichon Lalande touches of vanilla and silky oak that accentuate rather than overwhelm, allowing each sip to unravel further layers of flavour. The integration here is sublime; one can taste how each element complements its counterparts, forming a crescendo of vinous harmony.
In summary, the 2005 Pichon Lalande from Chateau Pichon Lalande rises as a beacon among Bordeaux wines for enthusiasts interested in both the pleasure and financial wisdom wine investment can bestow. With time, it is clear that this vintage will unfurl its wings further—soaring into realms of taste that can only be described as transcendent.
Market price (GBP)
£1,580.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
112.86
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted twice in a week, the Pichon-Lalande 2005 is a lovely, ripe wine that might not possess the thrust or the structure of its peers and yet it is just a delicious wine. The nose here is still young, almost nubile, perhaps with a New World sheen that will ebb away with time. Precocious wild strawberry, plum and raspberry notes gather pace with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and perhaps a little glossier than I recall. It is very well balanced with supple red berry fruit, quite succulent and very pure on the fleshy finish that displays ample length. Lovely. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted February 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2013
What a nose on this, with orchids and currants, this is very perfumed and pretty. Full-bodied, with bright and lively acidity. Rose petals and citrus fruit on the palate give way to a long and intense finish. Wait and see where this goes.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, October 17th 2012
The 2005 Pichon Lalande, with its aromatics of cassis, forest floor and earth are followed by a medium-bodied wine that doesn’t have quite the length and richness the aromatics suggest. Nevertheless, it is medium-bodied, elegant, and pure, and a classic example for this château. Drink it now as well as over the next 15 or so years. It is showing better than my earlier notes suggest.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2015
The disappointing 2005 Pichon Lalande reveals a much lighter style than one expects from this estate. However, the new owners, the Louis Roederer/Deutz champagne firm, have recently brought in Hubert de Bouard (from St.-Emilion) as a consultant, and the 2006 appears to be a dramatic improvement over the 2005. For all its greatness, Pichon Lalande previously experienced hiccups in superb vintages, 1990 being a prime example. While good, in the context of the vintage, the 2005 is unimpressive. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this deep ruby-colored effort exhibits a slightly herbaceous nose revealing hints of roasted coffee, cedar wood, cherries, and black currants. Good acidity and elevated tannins give the wine a streamlined, medium-bodied, fresh taste. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #176 April 2008