Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2021
- we96
- ws94
- jd94
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Château Pichon Baron |
Origin | France, Bordeaux, Pauillac |
Château Pichon Baron originally was a single estate along with Château Pichon Lalande in Pauillac, Bordeaux. The estate was spilt up when Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided his estate amongst his five children: the two sons received what would become Pichon Baron, and his three daughters what became Pichon Lalande. In 1855, Château Pichon Baron was ranked as a 2er Cru in the Bordeaux Classification. Today, the estate is owned and operated by the AXA Group and run by Christian Seely, who has made Pichon Baron a leading Pauillac estate.
The 73 hectares of vines are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are put into the Grand Vin, most of which come from the 40 hectare vineyards on the plateau of Pauillac over deep, gravel soil. The grapes are meticulously sorted, fermented in stainless vats and aged in 80% new French oak barrels for 18 months. The wines of Château Pichon Baron are full-bodied, rich and spicy with excellent concentration, complexity and elegance. These wine are candidates for extended cellar aging: they usually begin to peak around 15 years old.
Wine Enthusiast
- we96
The wine has smoky aromas, is rich in tannins and packed with black currants. It is ripe and full of acidity that gives a juicy character. This is a great wine, its full structure promising great aging potential. Drink the wine from 2028.
Wine Spectator
- ws94
This nicely rendered red unfurls nicely, offering notes of cassis, plum and black cherry puree gilded with violet and lilac hints. A long, sleek iron note stays embedded throughout, while late accents of black tea and warm earth help fill out the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040. 8,504 cases made.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd94
The flagship 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron lives up to the billing. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot brought up in 70% new oak, it has a pure, medium-bodied, concentrated, flawlessly balanced style as well as pure cassis and subtle blue fruits, some floral, graphite, and cedar pencil nuances, silky tannins, and a great finish. It's not going to rival recent vintages in terms of concentration or depth, but it's nevertheless a brilliant 2021 that has so much to love. It's approachable and offers pleasure even today yet will ideally be given 5-7 years and enjoyed over the following 15+.