Château Pichon Baron Pauillac 2014 - Grand Cru Classé (Magnum)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

The estate's grand vin is produced directly opposite Château Latour, on perfectly drained gravel soils benefiting from the microclimate of the Gironde banks. Pichon possesses the vigor and power of the greatest Médocs, in a very pure style lovingly overseen by Jean-René Matignon, one of Bordeaux's most experienced technical directors. All recent vintages have been remarkable, with the same classicism of character linked to the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon and the mineral and graphite notes of the terroir. The second wine, tourelles, has made great progress, but the novelty is the appearance of another wine, griffons, in 2012, from young vines on the great terroirs, and very successful.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

The original vineyard was created in the 17th century by Jacques de Pichon, Baron de Longueville. Divided in two in 1850, part of the vineyard reverted to Raoul de Pichon-Longueville (the other part became Pichon Comtesse), who had the present château built. Inspired by Azay-le-Rideau, the building contrasts with the horizontal lines of the winery built after Axa Millésimes bought the estate in 1987. The insurer undertook major renovations under the direction of Jean-Michel Cazes, then Christian Seely, with Jean-René Matignon in charge of technical management. Since 2001, the selection policy has been intensified: only 40 ha of the 73 ha of this exceptional terroir, made up of fine Garonne gravel and 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:

Here it is once again at the top, with outstanding substance, density and depth. A vibrant, terribly persistent wine. A must-have of the vintage!

About the domain :

This very fine second growth has produced a series of truly astonishing wines, and has established itself at the top of the Médoc hierarchy. Impossible to miss from the Route des Châteaux, the sumptuous home of "Pichon Baron" has been refurbished from top to bottom in less than two decades, and the team around Christian Seely is doing an exemplary job of bringing Pichon Baron to the top of the Médoc crus. The winemaking facilities and ageing cellar, as well as the vineyard, which has been extensively replanted, have enabled it to achieve historic levels of quality in recent vintages. The second wine is now called Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Les Tourelles having become a subsidiary brand with its own vineyard.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Intense bouquet. Rich and tannic, it becomes increasingly suave and complex as it flows over the palate. This is a long, concentrated wine that requires patience but should reward richly.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

From the heart of the old vines, the color is black. The wine is dense, tight, a little velvety, the Merlot rounds out the mid-palate, the tannins are fine, long, racy, a formidable mid-palate. Good depth. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The bouquet is very much inspired by the Pauillac terroir, with notes of graphite and cedar. Inviting aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, eucalyptus and a hint of licorice. Silky, perfectly integrated tannins on the palate. They offer excellent support to the whole palate. I'm surprised by the accessibility of Pichon Baron 2014 at the moment, but it has plenty of reserve!

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Since last year, this wine has behaved admirably. Great Médoc nose. Hints of ink and smoke. Deep and dense on the palate, with a positive austerity. It will melt. Lovers of power can taste it. For the velvety, you'll have to wait.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Lovely, fresh, delicate, fruity nose with elegant floral notes. Straightforward palate, slightly tighter tannins than previous vintages, with a very pleasant floral finish. A fine wine with identity. Let's give it time to blossom.