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NOTES
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired Château Bernadotte in the Commune of Saint Sauveur which borders the Pauillac appellation to the west close to a number of classified growths and only a few kilometres away from Pichon.
This property particularly interested Madame de Lencquesaing, owner of Pichon, first of all because her family have always enjoyed managing Bourgeois growths with great enthusiasm. She was also attracted by the quality of the soil made up of a very fine plateau of gravel on clay, by its position close to Pauillac and by its proximity to prestigious classified growths. Finally, this has enabled her to offer a more extensive selection of wines with a wider price range, but always with reference to and under the signature of Pichon. The name Bernadotte was given to this growth in honour of Marshal Bernadotte, appointed Sovereign Prince by Napoleon I and plebiscited in 1818 by the Swedish people to succeed their King Charles XIII, who died without an heir.
TASTING NOTES
A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc; the wine has a lovely warmth and smoky fruit on the nose, and a lovely textural quality on entry. Firm in the midpalate, with slightly confected cherry fruit showing. The palate shows sweetness and texture, but underneath there is a lovely grip to the tannins which perhaps contribute towards the slightly hard finish.
PAST REVIEWS
Space limitations did not allow complete tasting notes for this Cru Bourgeois, but 2005 is the finest vintage for these wines since 1982. The range of scores for these wines should give readers an idea of just how consistent this vintage is at this level. Given the style of the vintage, most of these wines should be accessible young yet evolve for a decade or more because of their concentration and tannic structure. Drink 2016 and after.
85-87 Points Robert Parker, Wine Advocate April 2006
Very deep colour, extracted, plummy, bursting with fruit, smoky and rich, very well made. Drink 2008-16. 16.5/20 Steven Spurrier, Decanter Magazine April 2006
Lots of pretty blackberry fruit, with hints of minerals. Medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Slightly one-dimensional, but well done. Could move up a notch.85-88 Points James Suckling, Wine Spectator March 2006
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