Pichon Lalande 2007

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. Drink 2010-2020.

A bright purple colour. The nose is rather compact, slightly lean with notes of blackberry, Morello, smoke and a stalky element. The palate is medium-bodied, the tannins more noticeable compared to previous vintages, with blackberry, earth, graphite and a touch of iodine. The finish has a little more weight, but like other Pauillacs it is rather mean on the finish at first, although with time in glass it gains more cohesion and reveals some fine tannins and great purity of fruit. A delicate peppery quality towards the finish. I have a feeling this could turn around and surprise me because the longer it stays in the glass, the better it becomes. But for the moment I will be prudent with my score. Tasted April 2008.

This is very firm and racy, with good fruit concentration. Medium-to-full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Very good density for the vintage. Wait and see

Very dark crimson. Sweet and lush but not very ambitious. Simple. Perfectly okay but a bit heavy and hot. Not refreshing. Very hard work to taste at this age! May improve with time. Drink 2012-18