Château Pichon Longueville Baron, 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2010
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 % Merlot, 80% new oak barrels, 20% one year old barrels. The estate decided to remove leaves on the east facing side of the rows, which they say particularly benefited the cooler later ripening plots. Plots were harvested and vinified individually. The results are impressive. The bouquet is polished, modern and complex. One of the features of recent Barons is the sumptuous fruit extract, sexy texture, density and plump approachable style. Customers who favour reserve and classicism should follow the other Pichon. This is stylistically flash, creamy, extravagant, opulent and luxurious; another big effort, which possesses velvety tannins, huge concentration and finishes with notes of earth, dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans over the seductive tannins.
critic reviews
Ticks all of the Pauillac boxes and then some - powerfully sculpted tannins, muscular and confident, crushed rocks, crayon and liquorice root, cassis and bilberry, slabs of cocoa bean and espresso. At the height of its powers. Jean-Rene Matignon technical director. 80% new oak.
The 2010 Pichon-Baron has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, blueberry, touches of violet and a whiff of the estuary (presumably the Gironde). This is very concentrated and like the 2010 Pichon-Lalande, it suggests that its secondary aromas will be worth waiting for. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, plenty of red and black fruit laced with graphite, tobacco and white pepper. It fans out wonderfully towards the very persistent, spicy finish that is a pure joy. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.