CHATEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE, LALANDE 1966 |

Château Pichon Longueville, Lalande 1966 Pauillac, 2ème Cru Classéu. 12vts, cellar soiled bottles, labels, and capsules, damp-stained labels, 3 labels loosely adhered, 4 missing labels, short capsules reveal 1966 on cork, slightly corroded capsules, 3 of which wine-stained, excellent color and clarityThis has always been a wonderful wine but, in 2011, a bottle drunk at home was stunning - great old Claret bliss, but old Claret stored since virtual inception in a cold British cellar (our own!). Very good colour, just going brown/grey at the rim. Smoky, briary red cherries on the nose. Total class of a great vintage plus the complexity of years. Scented redcurrants. Tertiary fruit. What an impact of fabulous Bordeaux mature fruit on the palate, all roses and woodsmoke, with a big, definite, 1966 sign- off. Serena Sutcliffe, MW12 bts (sc)Estimates are per lot