Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.7

So many wines over the last 48 hours, it's hard to know where to begin. This is definitely a good spot, I assume! Tasted out of mag, this was singing! The 1990 slightly eclipsed this (tasted the night prior) however this was one of my top 5 for the evening. Thanks @Jeffrey Lew for sharing! — 9 years ago

with David, Shawn and 8 others

Richard Murg

9.1

Raspberry and tannins on the boquet - big tannins that settles to a chocolate smooth finish. Really interesting - pair this with an appetizer. — 10 years ago

Tim Parkhouse DWS, CWE

9.8

Epic! Right in the sweet spot! absolute textbook G.C.C. that is perfect proof the 1855 is a joke! I sincerely hope it never gains the Unesco status some privileged Bordelais estates are hoping for, if this is considered 'fifth league'. Champagne & Burgundy bravo however! Truly deserving of their hard-fought Unesco world heritage status. — 11 years ago

Izzy Nosnik

9.3

99 las cases. In an amazing spot right now. I love these ripe Bordeaux with age. All the usual scents- cedar, lead pencil, Leather, tobacco. Awesome stuff. Great drinker right now. — 13 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.4

Needed 2-3 hours in the decanter to open, then was in a great spot. Holding my other bottle for at least 2-3 yrs, though — 8 years ago

Morten Bagai

9.5

I can’t get enough of this — 8 years ago

Nic Russell

9.3

Absolutely delicious, Rich, oxidative notes similar to some Sherry.
— 9 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

This wine goes as the most unique nose (other than the 82 Mondavi). The nose was citrus and sweet, almost like a pineapple and pomegranate. The entry showed some age to the black cherry fruit which dominated the start. This wine had a great herbaceous middle. The finish was quite subtle, with some black pepper that was starting to show the ripeness of age. This wine could have used another 1-2 years of bottle age, but was in a great spot tonight. Herbal finish was definitely one of the characteristics that kept us revisiting it as the afternoon rolled on! — 9 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.4

Young. Soft. Supple. — 10 years ago

Patrick Hu

8.9

Surprisingly good with pumpkin pie. — 11 years ago

Brennan Anderson

9.1

Still in a great spot, maybe slightly broad (not quite flabby), still some cherry fruit along with plenty of tobacco. — 13 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.5

A beautifully balanced, intense evocation of South of France Syrah. Though the Delectable header doesn't show it this wine is from Chateau de l'Ou and is technically an IGP Côtes Catalanes. Think Northern Rhône on steroids - less minerality but more fruit - cassis, blackberry, mocha and exceptional depth. Very long finish as well and still a few years to grow. Stunning — 8 years ago

KBM

9.1

This goes down way too easy. Tastes like I'm wrapped in silk, getting sprinkled with diamonds, and making bad decisions. Into it — 8 years ago

Josh Thorpe

9.4

Go get it!!!!!! — 9 years ago

with Andrew, Mark and 2 others

Steve Anderson

9.2

So fragrant. Acid, minerality and some good stuffing for a Sauv Blanc. 13.9% ABV — 10 years ago

Lauren D

9.5

Really enjoyed. Definitely get again!!!! — 10 years ago

Josh Copeland

9.4

Sour Apple jolly ranchers, pencil shavings, lilac and honeysuckle on the nose with and butterscotch and barley on the palate. — 10 years ago

Ryan Knoth

9.3

In a good spot. Soft tannins, nice fruit and earthy tones. Lively acidity — 11 years ago

Mike Macfarland

9.1

Very light, comfy red — 13 years ago