Pichon Baron 2016

Pichon Baron 2016 is a riveting, classy wine, richly aromatic and expressive from the start with a complex bouquet of black cherry, liquorice, graphite, menthol and subtle spices. The palate combines fleshy texture and linearity. The fine-grained tannins have the laser-like precision that Christian Seely likes so much, and contribute to the overall impression of crystalline purity so conducive to the terroir expression of this benchmark wine destined to reach new heights over the next 20 to 30 years. Magnificent wine. Drink 2025-2070.

An exceptional vintage where the Cabernet expression at five years old is dominant - savoury and sculpted cassis bud, bilberry and blueberry fruit alongside waves of rosebud and violet. The tannins are concentrated and still austere, but this is a great Pichon Baron, with liqourice, slate, pencil lead, waves of flavour resonating through the palate. Just a brilliant reflection of a vintage and a terroir. 80% new oak.

Tasted blind. Dark and lustrous. Proper earthy red bordeaux nose. Suave texture and with lots in reserve. This is quite a wine. Sculpted to within an inch of its life but it should pay dividends in the future. Very dry, St-Estèphe-like stony finish. Needs a lot of time.Drink 2030 – 2050

Brooding richness the nose has depth of fruit a mix of black fruits ripe black cherry and cassis. The tannins are fine and discreet the back palate velvet smooth lighter and fresher on the finish stylish and elegant. 2026-44

“The Cabernet was just so pure in 2016,” says Christian Seely, explaining his decision to use less Merlot. The result is a sturdy, structured Pauillac with plush berry and liquorice fruit, racy acidity and layers of tannin and concentration. 2025-40

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks. Drink 2022-2057.

The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot picked between 3 and 18 October at 39 hectoliters per hectare for estate (therefore the Grand Vin will be less). It is matured in 80% new oak and 20% one year old for 18 months. It has a very intense, extremely pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and graphite notes; it is a straight-down-the-fairway Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with a very tensile opening, that seam of graphite penetrating the black fruit. There is a wonderful structure here, unapologetically classic in style with just the right amount of austerity on the aristocratic finish. The aftertaste is incredibly long, lingering after two or three minutes in the mouth. This is a majestic Pichon-Baron and it may well to surpass both the 2009 or 2010. Drink 2026 - 2060.

I have been waiting for this for a long time. It’s a remake of the legendary 1990 Pichon Baron. Full body, ultra-polished yet powerful tannins and a glorious finish. The will evolve beautifully. The core of fruit and tannins are great. A truly great Pichon Baron.

This has some rich liquorice and gingerbread flavours, drawing deeply on the cassis fruits of the 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. This is incredibly dense and yet feels almost light across the palate. It doesn't have the upfront sexiness of the 2009, this is a more cerebral vintage. Neither does it have the architecture of the 2010, although the technical numbers are quite similar with high tannins and a pH of 3.6. It floats and builds up power slowly, with slightly chalky tannins on the finish. Less of a 'wall' than some recent years, an excellent wine. 45% of the estate's production from 73ha. To be aged in 80% new oak for 18 months.Drinking Window 2027-2050

Dense, dramatic, splashy wine with great balance and lift. Lots of energy and masses of old Cab in here. Really snazzy. Long. 13.3%Drink 2026-2050