![]() Eventually, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold the estate to Champagne Roderer in 2007. Under her management, quality of the wines skyrocketed, and they earned international recognition and critical acclaim. In addition to increasing the size of the property from its original 40 hectares to 89 hectares, she traveled the globe and was a fierce champion of the Bordeaux region. She was nicknamed, “Le Générale,” partially because of her husband’s military background and partially because she was a force to be reckoned with. ![]() In 1978, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing became the new owner and manager of Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande. The female legacy was honored, and the estate remained in the hands of the same family for over 250 years. Instead of passing down the estate to male heirs, the estate was passed from aunts to nieces. She made many contributions including commissioning the popular architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande located in Bordeaux. After a few years, Virgine, the wife of the Count de Lalande, took over management of the estate. They were considered sensual and feminine. Though it stood adjacent to the First Growth Château Latour, the wines from Comtesse de Lalande carved out a distinct taste profile from the traditional Pauillac style. In the 18th Century, the property was run entirely by three women: Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Laujus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. The origins of the property date back to 1850 when Baron Joseph Pichon Longueville divided his large estate in two upon his death his male heirs received Château Pichon Longueville au Baron and his daughters received Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Because of this, the stunningly voluptuous wines of Château Comtesse de Lalande are drinkable proof that girls do indeed rule. The success of this illustrious Super Second is due to the contributions of powerful women who championed it throughout the ages. Many châteaux in Bordeaux are passed down from father to son and run by men, and one often hears winemakers rhapsodize poetically about the union between, “man and vine.” Because of this, the story of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a unique and important one.
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