1996 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Bordeaux - 750ml

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is one of the most significant second growths in Pauillac, Bordeaux. It neighbors first-growth powerhouse, Château Latour, with whom the estate shares a similar terroir and climate. This helps to explain the quality of the wine at Comtesse de Lalande, which is sometimes referred to as "nearly first growth".

All five Bordeaux grapes are grown on the estate's 85 hectares (210 acres) in both Pauillac and Saint-Julien, although historically this was dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Wines from Comtesse de Lalande are some of the most voluptuous to come from the Médoc due to the high proportion of Merlot in the blend. However, the amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blends is increasing to lend more structure and backbone to future vintages. This will not decrease Merlot's place in the cuvée, but rather the amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Orignally, Comtesse de Lalande was part of a huge property formally known as Château Pichon Longueville, owned by the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville who died in 1850. Upon his death, his children Raoul and Virginie inherited half of the property each. Raoul's half became Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, while Virginie's became Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The Château de Lalande was eventually sold to Champagne Louis Roederer in 2007.