2011 CH PICHON BARON 2ÈME CRU PAUILLAC - 12x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2012,
  Score: 93-95

  Tasted twice with consistent notes, Pichon Baron is one of the highlights of the 2011 vintage. Bright, juicy and glossy, it opens up with notes of cinnamon, crab apples, red cherries and cassis. Velvety yet crunchy and with notable depth of fruit. Produced with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot.

• 

  Robert Parker, April 2012,
  Score: 90-92+

  This splendid Pauillac estate’s 2011 exhibits an impressively saturated ruby/purple color as well as notes of spring flowers interwoven with creme de cassis, licorice and background incense and toasty oak. The tannins are firm and the wine is medium-bodied and rich with layers of fruit and extract as well as a long finish. An outstanding example of the vintage, it will need 3-4 years of cellaring and should drink well for 15-20 years. Drink: 2015-1035.

• 

  James Suckling, April 2012,
  Score: 92-93

  Very pretty aromas of currants and blueberries with hints of flowers. Full body with silky tannins and a fruity finish. Refined. Very polished tannins.

• 

  Decanter, April 2012,
  Score: 17.5

  Ripe Cabernet cassis fruit, very good structure and length, firm Pauillac elegance. Drink 2017-2030. (4 stars).

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2012,
  Score: 17.5

  Since 2000, there's been a more consistent separation of plots. Grand vin now always includes the old Cabernet vines on the plateau overlooking Latour. 50% of production went into the grand vin this year, 45% into Les Tourelles. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot. 80% new oak. Colour of elderberry juice, black core. Slight dusty note on the nose, touch of cedar freshness and underlying cassis purity and an attractive savoury dark edge even though there's a slight note of dark chocolate too. Lots of pure cassis through the heart of the wine. Relatively stern but not at all hard. Lithe, fresh, graphite scented. Deft, full of fruit but not overly fruity. No excess of weight but not thin. Actually quite rich for the vintage. Finely balanced. Drink 2020-2035

• 

  Wine Spectator, April 2012,
  Score: 92-95

  This has muscle, but is fleshy and almost creamy along the edges, with a very dense core of plum, blackberry and cassis waiting in reserve. A sleek iron edge cruises in on the finish and adds some serious length.

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Producer

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

Along with Pichon Lalande, this estate was only one of two Pauillacs to be classified as a secondgrowth in 1855. They have rivalled each other ever since. However, Pichon Baron has remained inthe shadow of its more illustrious neighbour often enabling it to provide good value for money.