Score: 95-97 NM

Region: Bordeaux

District: Pauillac

Type: Still Wine

Color: Red

Varietal: Red Bordeaux

Vintage: 2010

Futures Item: Yes

Available: 10

Brand: See more from Chateau Pichon Lalande

Sku: 139162

Price: $234.99

Quantity:   

Wine Spectator Review:
Very sappy and intense, with mouthwatering acidity framing the cassis, violet and tobacco notes, followed by a supervibrant finish that features lots of cassis bush character. The Petit Verdot isn't as obvious on the nose as the 2000, which had 10 percent in the blend, but just as prevalent on the taut finish, where there's plenty of spice, drive and cut. Tasted non-blind. Score range 92-95.

Parker Review:
I tasted the 2010 Pichon Lalande on three separate occasions, two consistent and one that underperformed, hence the question mark. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, it reveals an opaque purple color as well as a thick, unctuous style with fresh blackberry and cassis fruit intermixed with hints of graphite, herbs and coffee. The vintages tell-tale minerality is present in this structured, tannic, backward effort. It will require 5-6 years of cellaring and should age for 25-30 years. 92-95 points.

Other Notes:
A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose with blackberry, rose petal, pencil box and a touch of cedar all with very fine definition. The palate is silky smooth on the entry, very harmonious and focused, fine mineraliti coming through, sensual and velvety towards the ripe finish. Extremely pure but powerful, this is a precise, brilliantly executed Pichon-Lalande. I bet Sylvie Cazes is hoping that all vintages will be like this. -Neal Martin, eRobertparker.com