Pichon Lalande’s 2007 is a seductive, dark ruby/plum-tinged wine displaying sweet cocoa, white chocolate, black currant, and foresty notes, medium body, a velvety texture, and a delicious style. The final blend is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink it over the next decade.

Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little underwhelming on the nose considering its peers, showing some signs of under-ripeness that jars against the black, cedar-tinged fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, tobacco-stained red berry fruit to the fore and with decent weight on the rather leafy finish. It actually finishes better than it begins, although it is difficult to envisage any improvement down the line. Tasted February 2017.

Fresh and fruity, offering berry and floral aromas that follow through to a medium-to-full body, with slightly chewy tannins that are polished and attractive. Needs more in the midpalate to be outstanding. Best after 2011. -JS

Purple-red, smoky seductive nose in typical Pichon-Lalande style, slightly gamey fruit, should gain in barrel.

Deep colour. Elegant, fruit-driven nose, notes of fresh cherry and a slight candied touch. A very pleasurable wine, expressive on the palate, long, fruity and spicy with nice persistency. A premium wine, even in this vintage.