WTN: Bordeaux focus: 1985 Pichon-Lalande

1985 Pauillac, Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

When they were first released the consensus take on the 1985 Bordeaux vintage was that the wines were lovely, forward, approachable, and not structured for long-term cellaring. A vintage to enjoy in its youth. I got some of both Pichon-Lalande and Lynch-Bages on futures and opened one of each upon taking delivery. Indeed they were delicious and enjoyable, unlike the more powerful, structured, and stern 1983s. I opened another bottle of the Pichon-Lalande in 1990. Same thing--enjoyable but didn't seem structured for the long term. Ditto in 1995. So now here we are, 39 years out from the vintage. It has developed into a classic fully mature Pauillac. As far as I know, this wine never closed in or went through a dumb stage--it has given pleasure since it was first released and looks to do so for some time to come. If you want to know why wine nerds go ga-ga over old Bordeaux, just try this wine and you'll understand. Double Curly Larry.

-Paul W.

[David M. Bueker]

I can’t speak to the original assessments of the vintage, but it was a pair of ‘85s, served at a blind tasting, that got me hooked on Bordeaux. ‘85 Poyferre and ‘85 Leoville Barton knocked my socks off. There was also a lovely ‘79 Pichon Lalande that same evening.

Pretty impossible to go wrong with Pichon Lalande in the 80s (well, I've never had the '87).
For the '85 I only own half bottles, but they're all holding on (and lovely)