Chateau Pichon Baron is a second growth located in the Pauillac appellation of the Medoc. It is very much a fairytale chateau in appearance complete with its two turrets. The estate itself dates back to the seventeenth century when vines were first established here. It was divided in half in 1850, one half became Pichon Baron and the other Pichon Comtesse. Both were designated as second growths in the 1855 classification of the wines of Bordeaux. Today the estate is owned by the insurance company AXA who purchased the property in 1987. They began a programme of restoration and development which culminated in the building of an underground cellar which is actually located underneath the ornamental pool in front of the chateau. The estate is currently managed by Christian Seely.
Pichon Baron consists of around 71 hectares. Planting density is 9000 vines per hectare and the composition of the property is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
At the time of our visit in early October the 2018 harvest was well underway, with only Cabernet Sauvignon awaiting the arrival of the pickers. All fruit at Pichon Baron is hand harvested.
The vat room consists of 40 stainless steel tanks and six wooden tanks that are used for the best Merlot. Fermentation lasts between 6 and 10 days at 28 Celsius using a commercial inoculation. Experiments are currently being conducted using wild yeasts. Once fermentation is complete it is followed by 18-25 days maceration. Malolactic fermentation is undertaken in stainless steel.
In the 2017 vintage an experiment was begun to compare ageing Cabernet Sauvignon in wood compared with clay amphora.
Ageing is undertaken in French oak barrels sourced from eight different coopers. Toasting is medium to heavy. The first wine can spend up to eighteen months in 80% new oak.
Tourelles de Longueville. Pauillac. 2015.
55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged for twelve months in 30% new French oak. Youthful red fruits with tobacco and a savoury edge to the finish. Rounded and medium bodied. A very nice wine.
Les Griffons de Pichon Baron. Pauillac. 2015
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot aged for eighteen months in 60% new French oak. Lovely black fruits with some savoury spice. The palate has nice balance and has black fruits, plum, cherry, caramel and vanilla. Drinking very well but no hurry.
Pichon Baron. Pauillac. 2015.
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot aged in 80% new French oak. A wine of great depth. Masses of dark berry fruit and plum, complex and rounded. It has smoothness and balance and finishes with lingering savoury leather and a touch of spice. Very good.
Pichon Baron. Pauillac. 2016.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak. Great depth of colour and lots of blackcurrant fruit, the nose opens to give some spice and pencil shaving. A big wine that has the tannins to match. Give it a few more years. Very good.
Pichon Baron. Pauillac. 2010
79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak. Great depth of colour and structure, just showing a little maturity in its appearance. Blackfruits with liquorice, leather and sandalwood. The palate is smooth and round. A great wine of depth and complexity. Superb.
