Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2019 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The estate’s flagship wine is produced right across from Château Latour, on perfectly drained gravel soils that benefit from the microclimate of the Gironde riverbanks. Pichon possesses the vigor and power of the greatest Médoc wines, in a very pure style lovingly overseen by Jean-René Matignon, one of the most experienced technical directors in the Bordeaux region. All recent vintages are remarkable, sharing the same classic character derived from the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon and the mineral and graphite notes of the terroir. The second wine, Tourelles, has improved significantly, but the real novelty is the introduction in 2012 of another wine, Griffons, made from young vines in the estate’s premier terroirs—and it is a great success.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

True to its standing, Pichon Baron delivers a 2019 of exceptional quality. The depth of the ruby color complements the elegance of the bouquet, where aromas of ripe black fruits reflect the warmth of the vintage and the maturity of the Cabernet Sauvignon (87% of the blend); blending with subtle spicy (pepper, cumin) and toasty notes. On the palate, a full-bodied and fresh attack gives way to a lush, rich, and dense texture, reinforced by silky tannins that linger into a long, fruity finish.

About the estate:

The original vineyard was established in the 17th century by Jacques de Pichon, Baron de Longueville. Divided into two parts in 1850, one portion of the estate went to Raoul de Pichon-Longueville (the other becoming Pichon Comtesse), who had the current château built there. Inspired by the château at Azay-le-Rideau, the building contrasts with the horizontal lines of the winery, which was built after Axa Millésimes acquired the estate in 1987. The insurance company undertook major renovation work there, led first by Jean-Michel Cazes and then by Christian Seely, with Jean-René Matignon serving as technical director. Since 2001, the selection policy has been tightened: only 40 hectares of the 73 that make up this exceptional terroir—composed of fine Garonne gravel and located immediately adjacent to Latour—are now used for the grand vin.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The grand vin is absolutely sumptuous in 2019 and will go down in the vineyard’s history, driven by a profile that is both energetic and intense. One of the most Cabernet-forward Pichons ever (87%), which lends it exceptional class. It unfolds on the palate in successive waves, with flavors that linger for a very long time.

About the estate:

This magnificent Second Growth has produced a series of truly stunning wines and has established itself at the very top of the Médoc hierarchy. Impossible to miss from the Château Route, the sumptuous “Pichon Baron” estate has been completely renovated from top to bottom in less than two decades, and the team led by Christian Seely is doing exemplary work that has propelled Pichon Baron to the pinnacle of the Médoc’s grands crus. The winemaking facilities and aging cellar, along with the vineyard—which has been extensively replanted—have enabled the estate to achieve a historic level of quality in recent vintages. It is worth noting that the second wine is now called Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, as Les Tourelles has become a separate brand with its own independent vineyard.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

As always, the Cabernet Sauvignon really comes into its own. It gives the wine impressive structure, rich tannins, and powerful aromas of black fruit. This wine has a bright future ahead of it. It showcases all the power and richness of the vintage. Best enjoyed starting in 2027.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Blackberries and blueberries with notes of stone and graphite. Flint and black licorice, too. Very aromatic. Full-bodied, very long, and linear with incredible length. The new 1990, but better crafted. Rich and wonderfully balanced. Fresh and elegant. Wonderful depth. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest Merlot. The highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon ever recorded. Best enjoyed after 2026.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Right from the start, the bouquet of the 2019 Pichon Baron heralds a great wine—without any detours or hesitation! Such complexity and depth, both on the nose and on the palate. Subtle shifts between freshness and charm, between delicacy and fullness. In the end, it is finesse that prevails! When finesse is prioritized over power, the result is greatness. An exceptional achievement and yet another contender for the Pichon Baron Hall of Fame. The list keeps growing! 2028–2060

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Power and refinement—the hallmarks of all great Pichon Baron vintages—are evident here. With an almost opaque color, the wine exudes aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, cedar, damp forest, black pepper, and floral notes. On the palate, the wine is multi-layered, with waves of red and black fruit, majestic tannins, and a flawless finish that seems to go on forever. Rich, luscious, concentrated, and with remarkable fruit purity, this wine will age and continue to develop for decades. However, because its tannins are so soft and well-balanced—especially for a Pichon Baron wine of this caliber—it can be enjoyed relatively early. With 87% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, this is the highest percentage of Cabernet in the estate’s history. Best enjoyed between 2030 and 2060.