Today we share one of the outstanding houses on the Left Bank. Château Pichon Longueville Baron was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original 1855 Bordeaux wine classification. Pichon Baron was once part of a larger estate, owned by Pierre de Rauzan and alongside Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. The estate was then divided in 1850 into the two current Pichon estates. While quality remained not as strong as its neighbor, a big change came in 1987 when the estate was bought by a French insurance company AXA which transformed the quality of the wines. Jean-Michel Causes of Chateau Lynch-Bages became the winery administrator which greatly improved quality of this historic estate.
The winery has 73 hectares which are largely planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%) with smaller portions Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot with average vine age at 30 years. The vineyard is situated at the southern end of the commune of Pauillac near border with the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle appellation. Current winemaker, Alexandra Lebossé, joined Château Pichon Baron in 1999 as assistant technical director and then cellar master since 2007, she became winemaker in 2017.
I have been enchanted by these wines, particularly those from the mid-90s and on. I love where the 2016 Chateau Pichon Baron (OB, 96) is at right now. This beauty has at least 20 years of life left. Check out the 2023 Chateau Pichon Baron ‘Les Griffons de Pichon Baron’ Grand Vin Sec White Wine (OB, 92) which is a beautiful Bordeaux blanc with a smooth mouthfeel and great underling tension. Learn more about this famed chateau at https://www.pichonbaron.com Here are my reviews of the recently Chateau Pichon Baron wines.
2023 Chateau Pichon Baron ‘Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Grand Vin Sec White wine- This is a new wine by Pichon Baron that is 100% Semillon coming from estate vines set on a limestone bedrock. It is smooth and elegant on the mouth with gooseberry, toasted hazelnut and cantaloupe flavors alongside a soft texture. Inviting and round, with good underlying tension, enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2024-2031- 92
2016 Chateau Pichon Baron- The 2016 Chateau Pichon Baron is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot. Green herbs combine with black currants, black raspberry and stony soils on the palate. The tannins have softened since I have last tasted this beauty. Medium to full-bodied and impeccably balanced, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twenty years. Give this at least an hour of air if enjoying now. Drink 2025-2045- 96