Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1998

Courtesy of sparring partner and retired winemaker, Larry McKenna; comes the chance to try an older vintage of a wine I’ve had a few goes at recently. The oldest version of this classic Pauillac I’ve tasted is a 1967, but this nearly-quarter-century old bottle is in a prime drinking window. A wonderful deep ruby-garnet colour in the glass – classic old-school claret. Decadent aromatics of blackcurrant, strawberry, sour cherry, mint, toasted spices and mulberry. Precise and structured palate leading with silken tannins – although still with some grip, and an integrated acidity. Lovely harmony of layers – still evolving with as much savoury notes of dried autumn leaves, cigar box, cedar, cocoa and resin as there is sweet cassis fruit. Delicately balanced but with still much weight and power behind it. Outstanding length to the finish. 96pts