Pichon Baron 2014

Tasted blind. Suave and polished. Thick and rewarding with an inky spine. Big and bold. Very clean and understated. Very long.Drink 2024-2044

More reserved and classically styled than the 2015, the 2014 Pichon-Longueville Baron is nevertheless a beautiful wine and up with the top wines in the vintage. Possessing deep ruby/plum color as well as terrific notes of blackberries, smoke tobacco, graphite, chocolate, and hints of cedar, it has a regal, understated, yet concentrated style that builds with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered, and beautifully textured, it’s a classy wine from this estate that’s going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. 2022 - 2046

A solid rendering, with an ample core of cassis, cherry preserves and plum cake backed by energetic, brambly tannins. A singed apple wood accent on the finish adds range. Shows good cut throughout. Best from 2020 through 2035. 13,335 cases made.

There is a smoky fragrant freshness on the nose and a bright fresh start to the palate. Sweet and ripe in the middle fine well handled tannins cassis and black cherry. Lighter at the back fresh fruit very much to the fore the finish just lacking a bit of richness. 2027-40

There will be less new oak in the finished wine than there was in the en primeur sample, which is good news as I found Pichon a little too marked by notes of mocha and chocolate. The underlying wine is very smart indeed with good grip and structure and the density and fruit weight to age.

The 2014 Pichon-Longueville Baron was broody at first, as if a big "No Entry" sign had been placed in front of the aromatics. But peeking underneath are some wonderful blackberry, cedar and graphite aromas that just sing of Pauillac and exude typicity. The palate is medium-bodied with very impressive depth and concentration on the entry, a superb line of acidity and outstanding precision on the finish. This is clearly fulfilling its potential that it showed from barrel. The only drawback is that it might be unfairly overshadowed by the 2015 Pichon Baron! This will be one of those over-performing Pauillacs, perhaps like the 1990 Pichon Baron, that will delight for years to come. Drink date 2022 - 2050

The Château Pichon Baron 2009 is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, almost the same as 2010. It was picked between late September and 16 October. It has a tightly wound bouquet at the moment, very "contained" and not as flamboyant as say, the 2009 or the 2010 at this early jucture. But there is remarkable precision here - an aristocractic nose with fleeting glimpses of cedar and pencil lead. The palate is medium-bodied. The acidity is quite noticeable although the pH is 3.8, higher than you would have expected. There is certainly a lot of body and structure (IPT came in at 91) with a precise, almost stoic, graphite finish. If the disappearance of Château Latour from en primeur is getting you down then this will fill that gap nicely. Drink: 2020-2045.

A fabulous young wine with superb depth of fruit and density that shows blueberries, blackberries, oyster shells and stones. Full-bodied, chewy yet with a laser-guided backbone of tannins. Goes on for minutes. Concentrated yet so fine and beautiful. The tannin content analysis is the same as 2009 and 2010 apparently from the winemakers, but the tannin quality is better. Amazing. This could be a remake of the 2010 but fresher.

Very deep blackish crimson. Hint of savoury treacle/molasses on the nose. Then a little dry but with decent mid charge of tannins. Far from opulent. Pretty angular at this stage. A tiny bit hollow. Needs to gain flesh. Griffons is almost too charming now! Drink 2024-2040