2020 Château Pichon Longueville Baron

The 2020 Pichon-Longueville Baron unfolds with aromas of cassis and plums, mingling with notes of cigar wrapper, sweet loam soil and violets. This wine is full, velvety and layered, with excellent concentration, lively acidity and rich, powdery tannins. Fragrant and resonant, this is a deep, young Pauillac that this year looks more like its neighbour Château Latour than Pichon Lalande. The 2020 is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, a true classic that is initially a little less expressive than the sensual 2019, but which will be as good or even better in time, but give this wine a few years to mature.

Château Pichon Longueville Baron is located on a prime terroir in Pauillac, known for its gravelly soils that are conducive to growing Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape variety in the vineyards. The estate covers approximately 73 hectares, with Cabernet Sauvignon comprising the majority of the plantings, supplemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Vineyard management at Pichon Longueville Baron is meticulous, with an emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The combination of the unique terroir and careful vineyard management contributes to the distinctive character of the wines produced on the estate. Château Pichon Longueville Baron follows a traditional approach to winemaking, combining modern techniques with respect for the heritage and history of the estate. The winemaking team, led by the talented Technical Director, seeks to express the nuances of the terroir in each vintage. The winemaking process involves careful sorting of the grapes, temperature-controlled fermentation and maturation in a combination of new and used oak barrels. Judicious use of oak allows the wines to develop complexity and structure without overpowering the fruit characteristics. The wines of Château Pichon Longueville Baron are known for their depth, elegance and ageing potential. They typically display a rich bouquet of dark fruit, cassis and cedar, with a firm tannic structure that offers excellent ageing potential. The estate’s dedication to quality and consistency has cemented its status as one of the leading producers in the Pauillac appellation and Bordeaux as a whole.

DECANTER: 96 | A. GALLONI (VINOUS): 96 - 98 | Yves BECK: 98 - 100 | MARKUS DEL MONEGO: 96 | JEB DUNNUCK: 96 - 98 | JEAN-MARC QUARIN: 18.5 | NEAL MARTIN: 95 - 97 | JAMES SUCKLING: 97 - 98 | BETTANE & DESSEAUVE: 96 | J.LEVE: 97 - 99 | PERROTTI: 95 - 97 | ALEXANDRE MO: 98 - 99 |