This average rated vintage scored 17+ points and cost under $20 back then. The 1974 Chateau Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse de Lalande had 12.5% alcohol, and at 42 years old was at absolute peak.
Leather, smoke and oak arose with hints of black berry and cassis. I’m amazed that you could still pick up distinct dark fruit aromas. It was soft and even though it was decanted half an hour before dinner, its fruits were still there. It proves the value of a cold dark cellar.
Old Bordeaux and lamb chops are an ideal match. Pichon Lalande (as it’s usually called) has been one of my favorites for over 30 years.
My son was home for the weekend and got to enjoy a bottle from his birth year. Dionysian Robin Daplyn is another collector of this wine and can confirm how well it ages. It’s nearly equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with some Cab Franc to enhance the aroma.
The aromas began to fade after 45 minutes in the glass. If you have any, drink them now. In vino veritas.
Leave a Reply