The Pichons are two of the most iconic Chateaux of Pauillac. Inevitably people will make comparisons, and in recent vintages, we have fallen for the allure of the Comtesse. However, the Baron is up for a dogfight. Christian Seely and the AXA Millesimes team have pulled out all the stops with their magnificent 2018. The Justerinis’ team, just like Lisa Perrotti-Brown, couldn’t choose a favourite. This is an immensely powerful, concentrated wine, bursting with a core of dark berries. It doesn’t have the finesse and aromatic charms of the Comtesse, but it makes up for this with waves of luxurious, velvety fruit. In the past we have criticised Baron for being too dense and lacking vitality – this effort is pitch-perfect – the fruit is vibrant and although concentrated, there is no sense of excess or heaviness. The tannin management is also superb. Pure fruits and mineral notes grip the palate with authority and give this a complex and long finish. There’s no doubt this is a hugely impressive Pichon Baron!
“The 2018 Pichon-Longueville Baron is made up of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. The Merlot was harvested September 24-25, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested October 3-10. The wine is to be aged 18 months in barriques, 80% new and 20% one year old, and production represents 50% of the harvest this year. Very deep purple-black colored, it begins a little coy, rolling slowly and languidly out of the glass with notions of baked raspberries, blueberry coulis, crème de cassis and incense plus nuances of lilacs, truffles, damp soil and garrigue with wafts of lavender and wild sage. Full-bodied, voluptuous and oh-so-seductive, the palate reveals layer upon layer of savory, earthy and black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins and lovely freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. Beautiful. 97-99/100”. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Advocate
Read More“Deep and dark young wine that takes you down, deep down to its center palate of blackberries and blueberries, firm and very silky tannins and a vivid finish. Wonderful palate and depth in this with such class and finesse. So many layers of polished, fine tannins. Great wine. 97-98/100”. - James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com