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Dense opaque colour, this is full of opulent black cherry aromas and hints of vanilla and cocoa. There is a real feeling of volume, richness and sweetness of fruit. Under Christian Seely’s expert stewardship this great Château only selects its very best fruit from its ridge of vines alongside Latour and Léoville-LasCases for its grand vin. The class of fruit really shines through in this excellent 2014. Concentrated and juicy, with a very long, lasting finish.
Dense opaque colour, this is full of opulent black cherry aromas and hints of vanilla and cocoa. There is a real feeling of volume, richness and sweetness of fruit. Under Christian Seely’s expert stewardship this great Château only selects its very best fruit from its ridge of vines alongside Latour and Léoville-LasCases for its grand vin. The class of fruit really shines through in this excellent 2014. Concentrated and juicy, with a very long, lasting finish.
The Château Pichon Baron 2014 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, almost the same as 2010. It was picked between late September and 16 October. It has a tightly wound bouquet at the moment, very "contained" and not as flamboyant as say, the 2009 or the 2010 at this early juncture. But there is remarkable precision here - an aristocratic nose with fleeting glimpses of cedar and pencil lead. The palate is medium-bodied. The acidity is quite noticeable although the pH is 3.8, higher than you would have expected. There is certainly a lot of body and structure (IPT came in at 91) with a precise, almost stoic, graphite finish. If the disappearance of Château Latour from en primeur is getting you down then this will fill that gap nicely.
Dark red cherry, plum, cedar, smoke and cinnamon are some of the notes that meld together in the 2014 Pichon-Longueville Baron. One of the rounder, more supple wines from this sector of the Médoc, today, the 2014 appears to be a wine that will drink well with only a handful of years in the cellar. The soft, seamless finish is quite striking, but there is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, it is just buried by the fruit. Technical Director Jean-Renè Matignon adds that the tannin levels are the same as 2010, although that would be nearly impossible to ascertain on taste and feel alone. In 2014, the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Overall, this is a very stylish Pichon-Baron distinguished by the great purity of its fruit. Tasted twice.
A fabulous young wine with superb depth of fruit and density that shows blueberries, blackberries, oyster shells and stones. Full-bodied, chewy yet with a laser-guided backbone of tannins. Goes on for minutes. Concentrated yet so fine and beautiful. The tannin content analysis is the same as 2009 and 2010 apparently from the winemakers, but the tannin quality is better. Amazing. This could be a remake of the 2010 but fresher.
Lots of depth and meaty grip from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon. Broad and powerful with elegance to come; a very good future ahead. Drink: 2020-2035
(82 Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 Merlot) | 80% new oak. This is a very smoky, rich, plush, oaky and spicy Pichon Baron with a deep garnet core and very complex nose. The tannin index (IPT) registers 93, which is similar to 2010 and I think it is only a nudge off the quality of the 2010 in every respect. Perhaps it is a little less profound than the 2010 but it is still very rich and luxurious. With rose petal and violet notes leading the way and racy acidity underpinning the finish, this is a keenly packaged wine, too. I have no doubt that it will blossom into a stunning creation and this is thanks to the fabulous blocks of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon which make up the heart of this wine.
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Very deep blackish crimson. Hint of savoury treacle/molasses on the nose. Then a little dry but with decent mid charge of tannins. Far from opulent. Pretty angular at this stage. A tiny bit hollow. Needs to gain flesh. Griffons is almost too charming now! Drink 2024-2040
There will be less new oak in the finished wine than there was in the en primeur sample, which is good news as I found Pichon a little too marked by notes of mocha and chocolate. The underlying wine is very smart indeed with good grip and structure and the density and fruit weight to age. Drink: 2022-35
Features a solid core of dark plum and blackberry fruit, backed by judicious toast that allows tobacco and loam hints to emerge in end. This picks up steam through the finish, showing ample base notes.
A wine of pure sophistication and class, the 2014 Pichon Baron exudes depth and intensity from the very first taste. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco and licorice all flesh out in the glass. This is a surprisingly ripe style for the vintage. Readers should give the 2014 at least a few years in bottle to come together.
The 2014 Pichon Baron followed. This has moved little since my last note. Blackberry and briary scents are interlaced with graphite. The bouquet opens nicely over a couple of hours, youthful but not disconcertingly so. The palate is beautifully balanced with a sense of coolness and class, an aristocratic Pauillac with crunchy tannins, pure black fruit and that flintiness on the finish that feels focused and abundantly fresh. No harm in opening bottles now, though I would afford it another couple of years in the cellar. 2026-2055
The 2014 Pichon Baron has a lovely bouquet with blackberry, pencil shavings and touches of warm gravel, very well defined and focused, classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh and vibrant, with a dash of white pepper and allspice leading to that slightly flinty finish. Maybe it becomes a little creamier than expected, but it's still just a lovely Pauillac drinking perfectly now and will continue to age for many years. N.B. The bottle poured blind at the Southwold tasting exhibited a metallic element on the finish, and I marked it down. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year On tasting. 2024-2052
Due south of St Estèphe lies the appellation of Pauillac, the king of Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Pauillac's renowned well-draining, gravelly soils enable its dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration. As a result, Pauilac's wines tend to be full-bodied with compact tannins and good freshness. Its aromatics are often what one associates with classic Bordeaux: pencil shavings, black currant and occasional mint. Some of the most famous châteaux of the commune are Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages.
