1979 Château Pichon Longueville Comtésse de Lalande
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From cold cellars, the 1979 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande continues to drink beautifully, and this example was one of the best I've enjoyed in recent years, offering up rich aromas of dark berries, cigar box and burning embers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy, sensual and complete palate. Not all bottles perform at this level, of course, but this wine is never less than outstanding.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
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The 1979 Pichon-Lalande was born in an era when Michel Delon of Léoville Las-Cases assisted at the property and lent his magic touch. It has a lovely, leafy and autumnal bouquet plus touches of meat juices. Like the 1976, it seems founded on the Merlot rather than the Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a smooth texture, a gentle spiciness evolving with aeration and just missing a little length. I would not leave this too much longer, and it will not improve, but well-kept bottles should still give pleasure. Tasted at the Pichon-Lalande vertical in London.