1984 Château Pichon Longueville Comtésse de Lalande

The 1984 Pichon-Lalande has an attractive nose: blackberry, bilberry, red pepper, sandalwood and decayed leaves, surprisingly fresh, perhaps just with a touch of brettanomyces? Becoming more hickory with time. The palate is balanced with supple tannins, fine acidity, slightly grainy in texture and then softening towards the liquorice tinged finish. This maybe lacks a little density on the mid-palate but this 1984 far exceeds expectation. Tasted at the "Difficult Vintage" vertical at the château.