2006 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac

“One of the most pleasant and unexpected surprises in this tasting, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is gorgeous, which is something I can’t say about too many wines in a vintage marked by climatic ups and downs and irregular ripening. Dark, powerful and intense, the 2006 possesses exceptional balance. A host of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and menthol flesh out in this decidedly somber, virile Pichon Lalande. In a vintage in which so many wines are so rustic, the 2006 Pichon Lalande is all class. (AG)” (10/2017)

“Tasted at the property, the 2006 Château Pichon-Lalande has a voluminous bouquet with outgoing blackberry, cassis and violets scents, a touch of boysenberry jam tucked just underneath, although it does not quite have the delineation of the Lynch Bages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This feels very composed in the mouth, quite fresh with well-judged acidity, harmonious and tensile on the finish. This deserves a higher score than I awarded out of barrel and it continues to improve year by year. (NM)” (05/2016)

“The success of this wine owes as much to Merlot as to Cabernet. The Merlot has created the ripeness and smoothness of the wine. While the Cabernet keeps it firm and closed up, there is a base of rich, sweet fruit here that will show over the next two years. The style of the wine is moving away from elegance to power under the new regime of owners, Champagne Roederer. (RV)” (03/2009)

“Rich and powerful but also restrained, with the characteristic perfume of Pichon Comtesse, this offers enormous potential for pleasure. The silky damson fruit also has a supporting cast of cloves and dark chocolate, with black truffles just starting to appear. (JA)” (06/2016)

“I really like the 2006 vintage on the Left Bank and the Pichon-Lalande is a fine example. The bouquet offers up a deep and complex blend of blackberries, cassis, espresso, fresh herb tones, tobacco leaf, a nice touch of sweet bell pepper, gravel, violets and nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, complex and quite refined in profile, with a fine, almost sappy core of fruit, nascent complexity and very good length and grip on the ripely tannic finish. This will be a classic Pichon with sufficient bottle age. 92+” (09/2019)

“Displays currant and blackberry, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with round, chewy tannins and lots of fruit under the structure. A rich wine for the vintage, needing plenty of bottle age. (JS)” (03/2009)

“The 2006 Pichon Lalande has only 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, with no Cabernet Franc, nor Petit Verdot, in the blend. It is deep garnet-brick in color and is a little closed to start, opening out to notes of tar, unsmoked cigars, crushed rocks, and dried sage, plus subtle fruit suggestions of prunes and dried blackberries. The medium-bodied palate is firm and chewy with muscular, savory-laced black fruits and a rugged finish. It's a dense, sturdy claret, for sure, although it lacks the grace and finesse of a great Pichon Lalande. (LPB)” (11/2022)