Pichon Baron

Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron Pauillac Bordeaux (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron Pauillac Bordeaux (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (1 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (12 x 75 cl)

Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac Bordeaux from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac by Chateau Pichon Baron (12 x 75 cl)

Pleasant, mature fruit on the nose it is both Clean. A fat texture, with still a little unresolved tannin. Firm acidity. There is some sweet, pastille like fruit (12 x 75 cl)

There are only two Pauillac second growths as determined by the 1855 classification, the other being Chateau Pichon Lalande. The two properties were once, as their names might suggest, part of one estate. Chateau Pichon Baron does not seem to receive the same level of adulation as Chateau Pichon Lalande, but that is not to say the wines are in any way lacking. The chateau is part of the AXA Millésimes portfolio, and with Jean-Michel Cazes making the wine quality should indeed be high. AXA Millésimes has huge capability for investment and it is no surprise that there were many changes at Chateau Pichon Baron. The chai wasn't renovated, it was completely rebuilt, using a design by architects Patrick Dillon and Jean de Gastines. This came to be after the pair won a competition for the best design. The new buildings face each other across the fish pool in front of the chateau, and yet they are hardly noticeable as they are sunk into the ground. The cellars themselves extend beneath the pool in front of the chateau, the cool waters above helping to moderate the temperatures below. The chateau itself was renovated, although sadly it remains unoccupied. The result of this investment has been a heady rise in quality, and Pichon Baron now challenges Pichon Lalande where previously there was simply no competition. The vineyards are planted with Thegrape varieties planted consist of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are harvested by hand with some selection of grapes made in the field after with the berries are destemmed and fermented for 2 to 3 weeks in 40 heterogeneously sized vats temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks at 28º to 30º. The quality of the pressed wine is graded A to C and usually constitutes 5% to 10% of the final blend.Malolactic fermentation occurs in the vat after which the wine is transferred to barrels for 15 to 18 months, 70% of which are new French oak, 30% one-year old, with racking every 3 months. A dark, classically styled, black fruit nose. Again a touch of roasted nuts. Lovely texture. A touch light but it has elegance. There are appropriate tannins which need a little time (12 x 75 cl)