In addition to Grand Vin, two-second wines are produced, Les Tourelles de Longueville and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron. Planted grape varieties are 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Pichon Baron covers 73 ha of vines whose average age is 35 years. Under the new ownership, the quality of Pichon Baron started to improve, especially in 2005, 2009, and 2010, plus the last five vintages (2014, 2015, 2016, 20) are excellent. In 1988, the renovation of the chateau and the creation of a new cellar for vinification and ageing began. After a short time, he was replaced by Jean-Rene Matignon, who's become the technical director of Pichon Baron since then. In 1987 French insurance company AXA Millesimes purchased this property, and Jean-Michel Cazes from Lynch Bages was appointed as manager. Under their ownership, the quality of the wine wasn't worth it's status with thin and bland wines. Two sons inherited the part known as Pichon Longueville Baron, and three daughters were granted property on the other side of the road, which later became Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.įrom the 1930s until the mid-1980s, Pichon Baron was owned by the Bouteiller family. In 1850, Pichon Longueville Baron, according to the will of Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville after his death the same year, was split among his five children. Perfect soundness combined with a careful selection policy ensured precise vatting of meticulously sorted grapes.Chateau Pichon Baron has a long history, and I'll mention the most important facts here. The Merlot was harvested from 18 to 25 September and the Cabernet-Sauvignon from 1 to 9 October. The harvest took place under optimum weather conditions. Thanks to firm, strong skins, phenolic maturity progressed without risk of over-ripening. On the whole, maturity was very consistent. The skins grew finer and flavours became more expressive. Stormy periods in August and September boosted ripening. In these ideal conditions, targeted thinning was carried out early in order to encourage the assimilation of compounds essential to ensure perfect ripening.ĭuring the last days of July, still dry and hot, the first grapes started to change colour. The first significant water stress then helped the skins to thicken and led to early ripening of the grapes. Summer pruning began with leaf and shoot thinning in June and July in order to make the most of this favourable microclimate. Summer started with warm and sometimes scorchingly hot dry weather. Thanks to stable weather conditions with very constant temperatures, the fruit set accelerated in mid-June. Consistent bud break took place in the secondįlowering started at the end of May. Winter rain helped to replenish the water table satisfactorily. Jean-Rene Matignon - Technical Director - August 2017 Carried by the great maturity that emanates from the quality of the fruit, the finish is delectable, elegant and distinguished. The palate is soft and velvety with delicate, precise tannins. The nose is enhanced by fresh fruit, blackcurrant cream and blueberries with an elegant oaky note. It can be laid down in the cellar for over 20 years or enjoyed right away. Les Griffons offers a vigorous and fresh tasting experience, full-bodied and clean, overflowing with energy. The grapes which make up this wine's blend come primarily from gravelly plots of land near the Gironde nestuary, a good environment for Cabernet-sauvignon. Created since the 2012 vintage, it has na pure and direct character. Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is one of the second wines of the property. The medium-bodied palate is firm with a muscular core of the earth and herbs-accented fruit and a long finish. The 2015 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is medium to deep garnet-purple in colour with a nose of black currants, black cherries and mulberries with earth, tar and meat suggestions. Source: Interim Issue Mid-February 2018, Wine Advocate Issue Date: 21st Feb 2018 (RP-87) The tannins are nicely cast and really fulfil the potential of the fruit. Issue Date: Friday, Febru(JS-92)Īn impressive Pauillac with rich dark-berry aromas and flavours.
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