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The estate was founded in 1689 by Pierre de Mazurede Rauzan and the vineyard acquired its name a few years later when his daughter Thérèse received it as part of her dowry on her marriage to Jacques de Pichon Longueville, the first President of the Parliament of Bordeaux. Thus began the history of one of the most famous Bordeaux vineyards which for one and half centuries remained a single holding in the hands of one family.
It was divided upon the death of Baron Joseph in 1850 between his five children. However only two of his children finally inherited the vineyards. Raoul taking the plot destined for the two sons and Virginie taking the plot for the three daughters. From then on the lands of Pichon Longueville would have two very different futures.
Virginie married Count Henri de Lalande giving her the title Comtesse de Lalande and took over control of the domain. Her passion and the quality of her management made her a strong personality in the Médoc and she very much left her mark on the domain. In the 1855 classification Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired the status of Second Cru Classé.
In 1925 Edouard and Louis Miailhe purchased the estate. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard, inherited it in 1978. She quickly rekindled the same enthusiasm that had inspired the Comtesse de Lalande, sharing with her a love of the land and its wines.
Continuing the tradition of family ownership, Champagne Louis Roederer took over the controlling share of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in November 2006.
Vineyards
The 87 hectares (215 acres) of this vineyard border the property of Château Latour and stretch south of Pauillac towards the commune of St Julien, whence it gets its extraordinary charm. The exceptional character of the wines produced here are distinguished by their elegance and finesse. This is due to a harmonious balance of different grape varietals: 35% Merlot (a very high percentage for this appellation) to give roundness and suppleness; 45% Cabernet Sauvignon to provide longevity; 12%Cabernet Franc for finesse and 8% Petit Verdot to ensure a certain freshness and aromatic complexity.
Visit the web site for Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
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