Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I remember when the 2005 Pichon Lalande was reviewed by RP, 89. I saw that & said, you would have to get in the way of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage to be that sad. I still bought 6 at a bargain basement price. A very good idea post 20 yrs+. Both Pichon’s don’t have a modern day history of getting in the way of a good vintage.

I also bought this one. 18 yrs in bottle and still acending. This will hold 5 more yrs and will last another 10 yrs properly stored.

I have visited Bordeaux 11 times. This chateau visually is still my favorite. It was showing a picture of this chateau to Sofia that launched our first visit. Sofia loved it and we have stared at it multiple times on every visit.

It was in our visit in 2007, I stood in the estate vineyard, looked & tasted their soils. After doing so, I said, “I get it.” I understood everything about what I was tasting in Left Bank Bordeaux’s early in my wine journey.

Sofia and I had dinner w/ Christian Moueix not long after the 2005 vintage was hyped/released. She asked him, when did you know you had something special?” He said, “as soon as I tasted the fruit at harvest.”

Tonight, it shows that it is a close relative, a sibling to Pichon Longueville. Cork, perfect.

The nose shows; classic left bank traits. Ripe, dark, brooding fruits, bright, mid berries, red cola, leather, tobacco, sandalwood, leather, led pencil, dark rich earth, limestone, dry river stone, hint of mushrooms, dark, red, fresh & withering florals.

The fruits on the palate show everything outstanding from the 2005 growing season. Ripe, juicy, brilliant; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, baked/poached strawberries & some hovering raspberries. Dark chocolate bar to pudding, red cola, anise, dark spices w/ palate heat, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, pronounced graphite, dry tobacco, leather, limestone, dry twig, dry river stone, moist clays, moist herbs, cedar to sandalwood, withering & dry, dark flowers, red roses, some lavender & violets, beautiful rainfall acidity, excellent; balance, tension, structure, length w/ an elegant finish that lasts minutes and lands on spice & earth.

13.4 ABV. Nice.

#TheTwoHourRibcap — 6 days ago

Riccardo L.

8.9

Tastes like FIFA club World Cup. A disorganized mess. But pretty good. — 8 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

Good, inexpensive stuff. — 11 days ago

Vino Joe

9.3

Nice minerality and some oily complexity but a bit more limited. Light flowery touches. — 3 months ago

David Dranit

9.3

2005 drunk in 2025. Delicious even though the cork crumbled. Gorgeous color, full body, a bit grassy and green apple. — 5 months ago

Doug Powers

9.1

From goblet-trained old-vine Clairette in Lirac (vineyard was “planted before 1870) on a hill overlooking the Rhône on the west side of the river, this lovely white wine shows honey and minerals, also some very nice acidity to balance, Clairette (which I adore) rarely shows the more viscous textural notes I get from southern Rhône Blancs that are mostly Roussanne and/or Marsanne (the latter mostly found in the northern Rhône), very good finish, lovely wine!!
I have actually walked this vineyard (6 years ago), the gnarled old vines are a pretty cool sight!! — 7 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.2

This Lirac blanc is 40% Marsanne, 35% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 5% Picpoul — the Marsanne really shows out, the Grenache Blanc adds some fatness, while the Picpoul adds some nice bracing acidity, this has long been one of my favorite southern Rhone whites, this really shows the richness and power of the 2022 vintage, lovely!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Daniel Jara

9.5

Vinazo ! Mi nuevo preferido, silky and smooth, redondo, taninos presentes , complejo — 5 months ago

romo

9.2

Sweetness trumping most finish notes. Cider-y in the best way. — 6 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.2

Very nice stony minerality. Very lean and precise. It’ll improve with time.
Wonderful wine. — 10 months ago