59 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot
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 kilometers 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.
The château is a stunning residence in the style of the Restoration built in 1860 and renovated in 1989 by the previous owner, Curt Eklund a Swedish industrialist.
In 1998, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing and her team made important investments not only in the château, vat room and cellars but also i n the vineyard (a study was made of the soil, vine-stock was replaced, and parcels replanted). New buildings for storage have been built and the property today is fully equipped with all the facilities necessary for the elaboration of a great wine.
2004
Winter
A rather mild winter. Temperatures and rainfall normal for the season.
Spring
Ideal conditions in the Spring favoured a rapid and homogeneous flowering which led us to predict an abundant harvest.
Mid-flowering : starting from June, 8th.
Summer
The gloomy weather forecast for the summer, with moderate temperatures and rain in August, caused the changing of colour to be delayed and spread over a considerable period of time, which affected the ripening period. As a result, the harvest took three weeks, picking taking place as when each grape variety reached maximum maturity. This rather cool summer has favoured the aromatic expression of the Merlots as well as their balance.
Mid-Veraison : starting August 15th
Autumn
The month of September was particularly fine and bright with evening temperatures rather cool, conditions which were favorable for the slow ripening of the Cabernets Sauvignons. The magnificent Indian summer was also very beneficial to the Cabernets Francs and Petits Verdots, whose yield was well controlled at Pichon.
The harvest started on October 1st in beautiful weather. The Merlots were picked perfectly ripe and occasionally, due to the great heat, with very high alcohol potential (from 13° to 13,5°).
The Cabernets Sauvignons were picked beginning October 7th in perfect sanitary state and at optimal phenolic and aromatic maturity.
The last grapes were picked on October 14th just before a period of rainfall.
The year 2004 produced the ideal climatic conditions for a northern vineyard area such as the Medoc.