The first release of what is certain to be a busy week for Bordeaux en primeur is second growth Ch Pichon Baron at £995 per 12 IB.
This favourite for many committed Claret lovers has produced yet another classic wine in 2015. This is beautifully crafted with wonderful ageing potential. As usual it is a strong Cabernet Sauvignon driven wine with a make-up of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot. It has dark rich fruit with lots of weight and a lovely saline finish.
A wine of total seduction, the 2015 Pichon-Longueville Baron possesses exceptional richness, power and intensity, all in the suave, inviting style of the year. Antonio Galloni, 93-96.
The density of flavour comes with beautiful freshness and the tannins swoop in and smother the palate at the end with glorious drama and precision. Stunning. Matthew Jukes, 18.5/20.
This is a terrific wine for lovers of this great Chateau, but it is offered not far off the current prices for the 2005, 2009 and 2010.
Ch Pichon Baron 2ème Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2015
£995 per 12 bottles IB
£1005 per 6 magnums (150cl) IB
£362 per single double magnum (300cl) IB
A deep inky purple hue introduces the concentrated cassis aromas and smoky notes. There is the château’s typically bold style of tannin structure: powerful and masculine across the palate, but without any oppressive heaviness. An extremely well made wine of great promise. Drink 2025-2037. Goedhuis, Score: 93-95
It has a very pure bouquet with lifted blackcurrant, blueberry and graphite aromas, beautifully delineated, the oak seamlessly embroidered with the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin. This is disarmingly and utterly harmonious with a startling mineral core. Possibly the most sensual Pichon Baron that I have tasted at this nascent juncture, it gently unfolds in the mouth and leaves with an enormously persistent finish that leaves the senses tingling. If you want to know whether this 2015 is up there with the 2009 or 2010, the answer is unquestionably yes. Neal Martin, Score: 96-98
There is rare sexiness on the nose here with open, rich, slightly exotic fruit leading the way and this pulls you into the glass. The palate backs this up with stunning cadence and drive and the length is staggering. The density of flavour comes with beautiful freshness and the tannins swoop in and smother the palate at the end with glorious drama and precision. Stunning. Matthew Jukes, Score: 18.5
A wine of total seduction, the 2015 Pichon-Longueville Baron possesses exceptional richness, power and intensity, all in the suave, inviting style of the year. Silky, voluptuous and creamy, the 2015 is totally spherical on the palate. This is an undeniably charming Pichon-Baron that should drink beautifully for several decades. Hints of lavender, mint, violet and crème de cassis add the closing shades of nuance in this seamless, racy Pauillac. Antonio Galloni, Score: 93-96
More about Chateau Pichon Baron
Pichon Baron is one of the most iconic chateau in Bordeaux, situated in the heart of Pauillac just across the road from its sister property Pichon Lalande. They once formed one very large estate until they were divided into two properties in 1850.
Today Pichon Baron is run by Englishman Christian Seely who has worked tirelessly making sure he maintains the true essence of these magnificent vineyards. The Grand Vin only comes from fruit grown in the original parts of the vineyard, adjacent to Latour and Léoville Las Cases.