2010 Bordeaux – Pichon Lalande, Haut Bailly, Saint Pierre

by Charles Lea

Pichon Lalande has responded to Pichon Baron with a fractionally higher price. Parker may score the latter marginally lower, but to most buyers I spoke to, it is Pichon Lalande which is the more exciting wine, seemingly right back on the very top form of the eighties in all its glorious finesse. As I said in my introduction to the Pauillac page, “Another fantastic year for Pauillac Cabernet. Best news is that Pichon Lalande is really back to the best ever form.”

Haut Bailly, under the elegant Véronique Sanders, has produced another wine in a fabulous run from this property. I love the unforced, ‘real’ style of this wine.

We have been championing Saint Pierre for some years now, along with its stablemate Gloria, and the 2009 is the best ever from this property. As Robert Parker puts it “This cuvee reminded me somewhat of a St.-Julien version of another of the superstars of the vintage, the 2010 Pichon Longueville Baron. The 2010 Saint-Pierre should drink well for 30-40 years. 2011-2051 95 – 97+”

We also have the great and again very highly-rated Pavie Macquin available in tiny quantities. Robert Parker 96 – 98+. Quick answers needed here please