Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

For some time the estate was still managed as a single entity, although following the death of Raoul in 1860 the portion that came to the sisters became increasingly independent, under the direction of one daughter in particular, Marie-Laure-Virginie. Marie-Laure had married Comte Henri de Lalande in 1818, and had thus taken the title of Comtesse de Lalande. No doubt they resided in the recently constructed chateau, an attractive design by the celebrated architect Duplot erected in 1840, which comfortably matches that found at Pichon-Baron in terms of beauty and architectural appeal. With the death of her two sisters, Sophie (a nun) and Gabrielle (who married Comte de Laveur), both of whom were childless, Marie-Laure gained exclusive tenure over the whole estate. Her passion for vines and the quality of her management made her a strong personality in the Médoc in the last century, leaving her mark on the domain that has kept her name. In 1855, during the classing that was carried out under Napoleon III, the Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande acquired the status of Second Cru Classé.But when she died in 1882, also without an heir, Pichon-Lalande was bequeathed to her niece, Elizabeth de Narbonne-Pelet, who was wedded to another Lalande, Comte Charles. From her it passed to a daughter, Sophie, and on her death to Elizabeth's grandchildren, of which there were five. They sold the estate in 1925, the new owners being a consortium led by Louis and Eduoard Miailhe, descendants of an old Bordeaux family of Vineyard owners and wine dealers.

The Miailhe family started out as brokers and négociants, having arrived in the region in the 18th Century. In the early 20th Century, however, they branched out to purchase properties of their own, starting with Coufran in 1924. Subsequently they acquired Siran, Verdignan, Citran (subsequently sold on to the Merlaut-Villars family) and Soudars, but their greatest acquisition was doubtlessly Pichon-Lalande. As part of the consortium they owned 55% of the estate; following the death of Edouard in 1959 the estate was divided, and the Pichon-Lalande component was initially managed by William-Alain Miailhe. He resigned in 1972 following what can only be described as irreconcilable differences, and from 1975 to 1978 the estate was managed by Michel-Delon of Léoville-Las-Cases. It was only in 1978 that the estate passed to Eduoard's youngest daughter, May-Eliane. May-Eliane had been married to the late General Hervé de Lencquesaing, and had as a consequence been away from Bordeaux for many years, and had paid scant attention to the property. Nevertheless, upon taking control, she acted quickly; her first act was to buy out four of the other associates, thus acquiring 84% of the stock in the property. Until very recently May-Eliane de Lencquesaing and her children owned Pichon-Lalande outright, and over the years they have worked hard, and the fabulous wines produced at the estate today are testament to her time and efforts here.
Nowaday’s Owner: Champagnes Louis Roederer
Technique Information
Location: The chateau sits on the east of the vineyard road in Pauillac, while most of the vineyards lie to the west between Pichon Baron and Haut Batailley.
Appellation: Appellation Pauillac Controlee
Neighboring Chateau: Chateau Latour (1st Growth of Pauillac in 1855)

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