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2013-CHÂTEAU-PICHON-LONGUEVILLE-BARON-2ème-Cru-Classé-Pauillac

CHÂTEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON

2016 2ème Cru Classé Pauillac

Grapes Cab Sauv, Merlot
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Pauillac
Classification 2ème Cru Classé
ABV 13%

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot. Christian Seely explained that the wonderful purity of the Cabernet was such that they upped the percentage in the final blend to 85% - the highest ever, with the less marvellous result that there is less Grand Vin than last year. Quite a low-key and reticent nose. Blackly muscular and powerful. Extraordinary almost painful coal-black Cabernet expression. Minerals make it all glide, but there is great concentration here. 'I cannot think of a Pichon I've preferred en primeur' says Christian (choosing his words carefully, as he did not quite say he preferred it to the 2010). There is freshness in the fruit which is very focused and pure, and it has the seriously impressive richness of a first growth. Drinking range: 2030 - 2055 Rating: 94-96 L&S (Apr 2017)


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An exceptional vintage where the Cabernet expression at five years old is dominant - savoury and sculpted cassis bud, bilberry and blueberry fruit alongside waves of rosebud and violet. The tannins are concentrated and still austere, but this is a great Pichon Baron, with liqourice, slate, pencil lead, waves of flavour resonating through the palate. Just a brilliant reflection of a vintage and a terroir. 80% new oak. Drinking range: 2026 - 2052 Rating: 98 Jane Anson, Decanter (Dec 2021)

The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more. Drinking range: 2022 - 2052 Rating: 97 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Feb 2019)

The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk. Drinking range: 2026 - 2041 Rating: 96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Pauillac Deuxième cru 1855 Facing Château Latour across the road, at the southern end of Pauillac, are the twin Château Pichons. Originally one estate, the two were divided in 1850 on the death of Joseph Pichon. His daughters inherited the portion that became Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, whilst his son Raoul inherited the title of Baron de Longueville and the vineyards of Château Pichon Longueville Baron de Longueville (usually more conveniently referred to as Pichon Baron). The two estates continued to be run as a single vineyard for another ten years, allowing them jointly to be awarded 2nd Growth status in 1855. Raoul built the present château in 1851 on his half of Pichon. At Raoul's death in 1860, the split was formalised and the two Pichons went their relatively seperate ways. By the time AXA Millésimes bought Pichon Baron in 1987, it had fallen a long way behind its sibling neighbour and was in dire need of investment. Investment has been forthcoming from AXA, and expertise from the involvement of Jean-Michel Cazes (of Château Lynch Bages) and, once again, the two Pichons can be seen on a par with one another. There are 73ha of vineyard at Pichon Baron, planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Since the installation of the new chais, grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel before spending 18 months in oak (70% new, 30% one year old). The AXA take-over also saw the introduction of a second wine - Les Tourelles de Longueville - in order to tighten up the selection for the grand vin. Inevitably, there is the temptation to compare the two Pichons. With a slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the cuvée, the Baron is a little more structured and masculine, dare one say offering a little of the feel of its illustrious neighbour Château Latour.

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