2018 Château Pichon-Longueville (Baron), Cru Classé Pauillac (2025 Ex-Château release)

2018 Château Pichon-Longueville (Baron), Cru Classé Pauillac (2025 Ex-Château release)

A real head-turner, the 2018 Pichon Baron is open and ready for business. There is a seamless, velvety texture on the palate yet it is brimming with energy and focus. Classic Pauillac notes of graphite and warm gravel mingle with a hint of exotic spice and succulent bramble fruit. Another triumph under the direction of Christian Seeley.

Critic score
97/100 info

This wine is now sold out. Please get in touch with your advisor or one of our team on [email protected] or 01473 313 300 for more information or guidance on an alternative.

Wine details

  • Region & country
    France
  • Grape
    78% Cabernet Sauvignon
    22% Merlot
  • Maturity
    Ready 2025 - 2045info
  • Colour
    Red
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    14.5%

Tasting notes

The 2018 Pichon-Longueville Baron is made up of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. The Merlot was harvested September 24-25, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested October 3-10. The wine is to be aged 18 months in barriques, 80% new and 20% one year old, and production represents 50% of the harvest this year. Very deep purple-black colored, it begins a little coy, rolling slowly and languidly out of the glass with notions of baked raspberries, blueberry coulis, crème de cassis and incense plus nuances of lilacs, truffles, damp soil and garrigue with wafts of lavender and wild sage. Full-bodied, voluptuous and oh-so-seductive, the palate reveals layer upon layer of savory, earthy and black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully ripe, velvety tannins and lovely freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. Beautiful.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (April 2019)
(97—99)/100

Deep and dark young wine that takes you down, deep down to its center palate of blackberries and blueberries, firm and very silky tannins and a vivid finish. Wonderful palate and depth in this with such class and finesse. So many layers of polished, fine tannins. Great wine.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2019)
(97—98)/100

Pichon Baron is exceptional in 2018. Pliant, silky and super-finessed, the 2018 has a level of textural finesse that really elevates the wine into Pauillac's upper echelon. Ripe fruit and silky tannins give the 2018 much of its inimitable finesse. At the same time, the 2018 is bright, punchy and surprisingly fresh, not to mention absolutely impeccable in its balance. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, while new oak is 80%.

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (April 2019)
(94—97)/100

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