Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 8 years ago

Aadil Mamujee

9.6

Lots of delicious red fruit and very smooth. Loved it. — 9 years ago

Sunny Vy

9.6

Weird, in a good way — 9 years ago

Neil Cornish

8.9

Out of 3 liter. Fresh and minty! — 10 years ago

with Michael and Jon

Mike Elmgreen

9.3

Great fruit, still bright and perfect for drinking right now. Could still do with 2-3 more. — 11 years ago

Yukino Kikuma

9.5

永峰さんのおうちでお誕生日会。3本目ですが、贅沢すぎるぅー^ ^ — 12 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.0

Better on day 2 and 3 than when first opened. After night 1, decanted overnight. This was a tough girl to break, but worth it. My boys are coopered, and I snuck this picture. — 8 years ago

with Dave

Kaitlin Ohlinger

9.1

Incredibly tasty. Big but remarkably light on its feet. Viognier really lifts it up. Pretty insane for the dollas. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

10

color was a dense deep red with aromas of ripe dark fruits and gentle complementing spice. The flavors were very fresh and concentrated with blackberries, cherries and currants constantly changing on the palate, showing a great mouthfeel. The tannins were a bit tight as the bottle was not decanted and only opened for about 30 minutes. The ending had spice, cedar and touch of cacao on the lingering finish. An elegant wine that needs time to develop, try in another 3-5 years, although should last for a decade. Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago

Joel Brooks

9.0

Bold, bursting with flavor. Robust, fruity, but not overpowering. Just a hint of sweet. Clean finish. Wonderful by itself. Drinking with pizza. — 9 years ago

Michael Piaker

8.9

17 August 2013. The Wine Country, Long Beach, CA. — 10 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

Italian tasting-Loma Portal 11/23. Co-wine of flight #3. My favorite Tignanello so far. Reminded me of the '02 Araujo Eisele Cab. Velvet deliciousness. — 10 years ago

23media girl

8.9

With Greg & Jill at their friends house — 12 years ago

Renee Mcl

9.2

I do believe this is thee* best $8.00 bottle of wine I can ever remember buying. *cheers* — 8 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

South African gooseberry, tart apple another winner from the 2015 vintage. — 9 years ago

Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.4

Lots of life left in this wine. What a treat. From 3 liter. #josephphelps biased review — 9 years ago

with Joseph

Joe DAscoli

9.0

Held up very well for a 30 year old wine. Took about 1-2 hours to really open up and hit its peak. Finished by hour 3 as it seemed to tail off. Very cool drinking a Lafite. — 9 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.1

3 hrs in the decanter. Pencil shavings, earth, leather, cool cassis notes. Medium body, good freshness, the initial poopy notes dissipate slowly. Rustic tannines, classically built, very good.
Happy b-day, L.
Even better on day 3!! Saved half a bottle in the fridge. Tannines have softened, fruit is more prominent and darker in aspect. Up 1 point. — 10 years ago

Linda Chew

9.2

Hints of cherry. Great — 10 years ago

Kai Chang

9.2

Clear deep purple colour with watery rim. Clean medium intensity aroma with minty black cherry and black currant with hint of oak smokiness and vanilla. Dry on the palate full bodied medium alcohol with medium acidity and high but smooth velvety tannin. Flavours of earthy black currant, black cherry, and vanilla. Flavours last through into its long pleasant finish. Very good quality, drink now but can age for another 3 to 5 years for a even more balanced complexity. — 11 years ago