Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

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 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 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.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The finesse of the bouquet speaks volumes about the ambitions of Pierre Montégut and his teams! They are clearly focused on grandeur, detail, and subtlety. Floral notes set the tone, giving way to hints of blackcurrant and red berries, and finally a touch of graphite and iris. On the palate, Pichon Baron makes a gentle entrance. It settles in serenely and waits! This allows it to deploy its vigor and fullness in a measured and precise manner, to consolidate its mid-palate, and to sharpen its finish. The goal is to bring its tannins to new heights; they unleash their power and reach their full amplitude at the end of the palate, where they are most relevant and imposing, while also serving as the fundamental foundation for the entire structure, alongside the acidity. Pichon Baron’s power is marked by exceptional finesse, with a spectacular ability to modulate its energy and highlight the subtle yet incisive character of its acidity. This acidity literally energizes the finish, much like an athlete who manages to accelerate down the home stretch to cross the finish line without faltering. What depth, what quiet strength, what a great wine! It still has many stories to tell, but what it reveals today is brilliant! 2030–2070

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Its complex aromatic profile reveals notes of flowers, blackcurrant, licorice, black cherries, cocoa, espresso, cigar wrapper, and a hint of mint. On the palate, it offers a magnificent blend of vitality, smoothness, energy, and fruity purity. The long, vibrant finish is brimming with fruity nuances. Yet, despite all this concentration, it exudes an elegance and majestic charm that blend with its power. The finishing notes continue to unfold and develop long after the wine has left the glass. This modern classic will be excellent after just 3 to 5 years of bottle aging. It also has the potential to age and evolve for 3 to 4 decades. The vintage was shaped largely by daily tastings of the berries from each plot—and even from individual rows of vines—in search of the ideal harvest time. Another factor was the selection of tanks for fermentation, as well as the allocation of plots to specific tanks due to the vintage’s low yields. The blend consists of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot. 13.3% alcohol, pH 3.72. Harvesting took place from September 8 to 24. This was the earliest start to the harvest in the estate’s history. Yields were fairly low, at 24 hectoliters per hectare. The wine is aging in barrels that are 70% new French oak. Best enjoyed between 2032 and 2070.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black rim. An elegant nose with a persistent and precise character. Aromas reminiscent of blackcurrant and blackberry, with notes of blueberry, subtle roasted notes, hints of dark chocolate, fragrant floral notes, and mild spices. On the palate, it is well-structured with ripe tannins, lovely acidity, juicy fruit, and delicate floral notes, offering excellent length and depth.

Falstaff