Les Griffons de Pichon Baron - Pauillac 2020

Vinous

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron contains the Petit Verdot that was previously blended with the Les Tourelles. This has an intense nose with graphite and chalk-tinged black fruit, touches of black olive compote emerging with time, all with wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm and saturated tannins, very pure, precise and poised. Gentle grip with a lively, citrus-fresh finish, and hints of blue fruit on the aftertaste.

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is fabulous. Bright and intensely savory, the 2020 screams with character. The Cabernet seems especially expressive today. Inky red fruit, spice, dried flowers, crushed rocks and blood orange build as this exquisitely perfumed, nuanced Pauillac shows off its considerable pedigree. This is a terrific showing.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

Lots of bright red and blue fruits, violets, graphite, and cedar notes emerge from the 2020 Les Griffons De Pichon, which is normally a more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated second wine from this estate, but in 2020 checks in as 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Petit Verdot. The élevage will span 18 months and it sees slightly more new oak than the Les Tourelles, being brought up in 50% new French oak. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it has ripe tannins, notable freshness, and a great finish. It's going to need bottle age. The quality of both second wines from Pichon Baron is sky-high.

Vinous

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is deep purple in color. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a clean, precise bouquet, a mélange of black and blue berry fruit laced with cedar and mint, quintessentially Pauillac. The wonderful palate is very smooth and silky, delivering quite lush black fruit that disguises the structure behind it. Almost symmetrical in poise, this might well be the first Griffons that is just a mere nose behind the Grand Vin, perhaps in part thanks to the contribution of the 8% Petit Verdot. Not to be overlooked.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

The addition of Petit Verdot in the blend in Les Griffons this year (instead of in Les Tourelles as it usually is) adds a lovely dark spice and really works. This delivers an excellent mix of confident black fruits and sinewy, muscular tannins that have a salinity on the finish that is mouthwatering. A yield of 35hl/ha. 50% new oak for 18 months, 25% of production.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

This is a Richly textured, round, lush, fruit filled, medium/full-bodied, earthy expression of Pauillac. You find tobacco, cedar chest, forest floor, flowers, blackberry, oak and vanilla along with red and black currants. The wine is sweet, juicy, lifted and forward. It's round in the mouth with ripe, polished tannins and a creamy finish. This will be best with 3-5 years of age. Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is produced from a vat selection made before the final blending. 91-93

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a blend of 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. It is being aged for an estimated 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. This label represents 25% of the harvest. Deep purple-black colored, it howls with unrestrained scents of crushed black plums, ripe boysenberries and black cherry preserves, leading to nuances of ground cloves, licorice and rose oil. The medium-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruits and a plush texture, delivering just enough freshness to lift the long, energetic finish.

Anthocyanes

93-95 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Nez très poivre, épices, mure, légèrement cassis pour un Les Griffons très différent de Tourelles. Bouche assez massive, dense, des tanins structurants et une texture charnue. Sur l'allonge avec une réelle densité. Un très beau vin.

Bernard Burtschy

94-95 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

[…] les Griffons sortent cette année leurs griffes. La robe est noire, le vin est ample, un peu boisé, généreux, assez tannique. Grâce à ses 50 % de merlot, il se fera un peu plus vite que le grand vin dont il garde la structure. […]

Falstaff

91-93 / 100

the5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Verhalten, zart mit Vanille unterlegte reife schwarze Kirschen, feines Cassis, reife Pflaumen, Noten von Trockengewürzen, zart nach Edelholz. Mittlere Komplexität, reife Kirschen, präsente, reife Tannine, lebendige Frische, mineralischer Nachhall, etwas dunkler Nougat im Rückgeschmack.

My Bettane + Desseauve

92-93 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

A punchy red with blackberry and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, yet extremely refined and polished with a long finish. 50% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot.