1985 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 1x75cl

Antonio Galloni 89

What a treat it is to taste these two Pichon Lalandes straight from the chateau s cellar. The 1985 Pichon Lalande opens with mature, tertiary aromatics. Still huge and concentrated on the palate, the 1985 still has remarkable depth, but the elements are out of balance, because the aromatics are maturing at a faster pace than the wine s structural elements. When wines are out of balance, time is an enemy, not a friend. While then 1985 clearly has enough power and overall intensity to keep for many years, I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later, as the imbalances that are present today will only become more disconcerting as the years go by. [Antonio Galloni, 02/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2020

Neal Martin 91

The 1985 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a vintage that was overshadowed by the superior 1986. Over a dozen encountered over the years has consistently proven that this was always an open and generous Pauillac with modest ambitions. This has fragrant dark berry fruit with a light algae-like tincture, then later hints of iris flower. The palate is medium-bodied and fleshier than the aforementioned '86, and soft tannins with gentle grip lead to a peppery finish. A bit soft and squidgy perhaps, but it slips down the throat with ease. I know there are better bottles than this example. Tasted in October 2024 at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair. [Neal Martin, 25/06/2025]

Wine Advocate 88

Tasted at the property, the 1985 Pichon Lalande is fully matured on the feral, tertiary nose, and like the bottle I tasted a couple of years ago, this has recently become much more diffuse than exemplary showing during the 1990s and 2000s. The palate is fleshy and smooth like many wines of this vintage, but in recent years, the tannins have become and little edgier, the fruit degraded and turning quite mushroom-like and earthy on the finish. I would broach bottles of this over the next five years, because I feel that it is drying out. Tasted March 2016. [Neal Martin, 28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2021