Pichon Lalande 2004

Pauillac, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
Tasted at the Fine Wine Experience’s Pichon-Lalande vertical in London. A very deep garnet/purple hue. It has a glorious, almost opulent nose with black cherries, blueberries, a hint of sous-bois, pine and freshly rolled tobacco, a touch of tar coming through all with wonderful definition although there is still a little unresolved new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with good weight, very well balanced, a sense of controlled opulence here. Lots of glycerine, this is almost as good as the 2005. Silky smooth, almost Burgundian on the finish. A supreme success for the vintage and a must-buy. Outstanding. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted December 2008. Score: 95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2030 01 September 2009
The 2004 Pichon Lalande is a strong effort for the vintage (much better than their underwhelming and much more expensive 2005). A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as scents of cocoa, espresso roast, black cherries, and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, this classic wine cuts a stylistic persona somewhere between the 1995 and 1996. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. Score: 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2027 01 June 2007
A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 Pichon Lalande is vaguely reminiscent of the 1986 and 1988. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, with moderately high, firm tannin, a degree of austerity, plummy black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, smoke, and dried herbs, good freshness, and medium body, give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15+ years. Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2023 01 June 2006
One can’t say enough about the brilliant work being done by manager Thomas Do-Chi-Nam, who started at Pichon-Lalande in 1992. The estate feels the 2004 has much in common with the 1996, but I’m not as convinced. Produced from yields of 50 hectoliters per hectare, with only 55% of the crop making it into the final blend, and a harvest that took place between September 27 and October 14, the final blend was 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. A complex, fragrant bouquet of fennel, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice, and sweet oak (about 50% new oak is utilized) is followed by a medium-bodied Pauillac exhibiting excellent concentration, elegance, and acidity as well as a nicely textured mouthfeel without being anywhere near the size or opulence of the 2003. It appears to be a modern day version of the 1986, with sweeter, riper fruit. Score: 91 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2020 30 April 2005
Aromas of currant, flowers and berries follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Round and very caressing. Best after 2010. 20,830 cases made. Score: 90 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2007
Very dark, healthy crimson. Low key nose - very slightly inky. Lacks the freshness of the wine above. Certainly sumptuous and should give lots of pleasure. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 11 December 2006
Good red-ruby color. Raspberry, cherry, smoke, earth and pepper on the expressive nose. Supple and voluptuous but firm, with captivating Pauillac soil tones. Not especially sweet but fat and smooth, with a much deeper pitch than the 2005. Finishes with ripe tannins and excellent breadth and length. This is developing very nicely and today seems as strong as the young '05. Score: 91 - 92 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

Tasting Notes

Tasted at the Fine Wine Experience’s Pichon-Lalande vertical in London. A very deep garnet/purple hue. It has a glorious, almost opulent nose with black cherries, blueberries, a hint of sous-bois, pine and freshly rolled tobacco, a touch of tar coming through all with wonderful definition although there is still a little unresolved new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with good weight, very well balanced, a sense of controlled opulence here. Lots of glycerine, this is almost as good as the 2005. Silky smooth, almost Burgundian on the finish. A supreme success for the vintage and a must-buy. Outstanding. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted December 2008.

Score: 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2030 01 September 2009

The 2004 Pichon Lalande is a strong effort for the vintage (much better than their underwhelming and much more expensive 2005). A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as scents of cocoa, espresso roast, black cherries, and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, this classic wine cuts a stylistic persona somewhere between the 1995 and 1996. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2027 01 June 2007

A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 Pichon Lalande is vaguely reminiscent of the 1986 and 1988. Deep ruby/purple-tinged, with moderately high, firm tannin, a degree of austerity, plummy black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, smoke, and dried herbs, good freshness, and medium body, give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15+ years.

Score: 90 - 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2023 01 June 2006

One can’t say enough about the brilliant work being done by manager Thomas Do-Chi-Nam, who started at Pichon-Lalande in 1992. The estate feels the 2004 has much in common with the 1996, but I’m not as convinced. Produced from yields of 50 hectoliters per hectare, with only 55% of the crop making it into the final blend, and a harvest that took place between September 27 and October 14, the final blend was 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. A complex, fragrant bouquet of fennel, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice, and sweet oak (about 50% new oak is utilized) is followed by a medium-bodied Pauillac exhibiting excellent concentration, elegance, and acidity as well as a nicely textured mouthfeel without being anywhere near the size or opulence of the 2003. It appears to be a modern day version of the 1986, with sweeter, riper fruit.

Score: 91 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2020 30 April 2005

Aromas of currant, flowers and berries follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Round and very caressing. Best after 2010. 20,830 cases made.

Score: 90

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2007

Very dark, healthy crimson. Low key nose - very slightly inky. Lacks the freshness of the wine above. Certainly sumptuous and should give lots of pleasure.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2022 11 December 2006

Good red-ruby color. Raspberry, cherry, smoke, earth and pepper on the expressive nose. Supple and voluptuous but firm, with captivating Pauillac soil tones. Not especially sweet but fat and smooth, with a much deeper pitch than the 2005. Finishes with ripe tannins and excellent breadth and length. This is developing very nicely and today seems as strong as the young '05.

Score: 91 - 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

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