2025 Château Pichon Baron
Pichon Baron used to feel like the unexciting neighbour of Pichon Lalande, but that has changed over the course of the last few vintages, with a series of excellent releases, none more so than the 2025, scored 96-98 points by three reviewers, including The Wine Advocate's Yohan Castaing, who describes it as a 'brilliant achievement'.
Producer Profile
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is a Deuxième Cru Classé estate in the commune of Pauillac. Originally part of a single estate known as Pichon with Pichon-Lalande, Pichon-Baron became a separate estate when, in 1850, in a Lear-like move, Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided the estate between his five children on his death bed. His sons received the Pichon-Baron lands and his daughters received what became Pichon-Lalande.
Pichon Baron continued in the ownership of the Pichon-Longueville family until 1933. The estate was in decline through the 1960s and 70s until it was acquired by AXA insurance, who installed Jean-Michel Cazes to improve quality. Cazes was succeeded by Christian Seely in 2000, ushering in a new phase of far more successful vintages.
The 73 hectare vineyard is split into 4 plots and further subdivided into many small parcels, planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
| RED | 2025 | Château Pichon Baron | 75cl | £544 per case of 6 | Château Pichon Baron 2025 / / 75cl £544 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Restrained power, elegant fine grained tannins, gentle extraction at 26C, rosebuds evident. This has clear Pauillac character, coupled with the finesse and drinkability of the vintage. Again the anis and slate that I have seen in a number of the best wines this year. Very impressive. 70% new oak. 3.72 pH, 24hl/ha, 2nd year in a row with such low yields. 2034-2048. 97 points." Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, Apr '26------"A Cabernet-dominant blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot that will spend 18 months in 70% new barrels with the balance in once-used oak, the 2025 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron sports a deep purple hue as well as a ripe bouquet of cassis, blueberries, crushed stone, and liquid violets. On the palate, it's full-bodied, with a round, layered, sexy mouthfeel, tons of fruit, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Checking in at 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.72, it's one of the more sunny, voluptuous, sexy wines in the vintage. 96-98 points." Jeb Dunnuck, Apr '26------"Silky, aromatic and layered in the glass, the 2025 Pichon Baron is a total stunner. What a wine. Sweet red cherry/plum fruit, blood orange and rose petal are some of the many notes that caress the palate. Hints of pomegranate, mint and exotic spice appear later, adding layers of nuance. The wine's striking mid-palate sweetness and overall balance are the stuff dreams are made of. This is exquisite. Yields were just 24 hectoliters per hectare. The 2025 is expected to spend 18 months in French oak, 70% new. 2035 - 2065. 96-98 points." Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Apr '26------"A brilliant achievement, the 2025 Pichon-Longueville Baron, a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot (70% new oak), features a notably high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon for a warm vintage, exceeding that of 2020 and 2022. It reveals a refined bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, spice, lead pencil and licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it’s built around a fleshy, finely structured core of fruit with a distinctly Cabernet-driven profile, combining freshness and tension with notable depth. It should age gracefully over the next two to three decades. 96-98 points." Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, Apr '26 |
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