Pichon Baron - Pauillac 2021

Vinous

96

par Antonio Galloni le 02/04/2024

Dark and brooding in bearing, the 2021 Pichon Baron is a somber, mysterious wine. It is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. Graphite, leather, spice, mocha and dried herbs meld together in a wine of power, precision and contemporary classicism.

Vinous

96

par Antonio Galloni le 28/02/2024

Dark and brooding in bearing, the 2021 Pichon Baron is a somber, mysterious wine. It is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. Graphite, leather, spice, mocha and dried herbs meld together in a wine of power, precision and contemporary classicism. It's one of my early favorites in this vintage. I won't be too surprised if it turns out even better than this note suggests.

Wine Advocate

95

par William Kelley le 22/02/2024

The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron is showing very well in bottle, unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, sweet berries and violets mingled with subtle hints of orange zest and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good depth at the core, bright acids and sweet tannins that assert themselves on the gently structured finish, its serious, slightly reserved profile reflects the unusually high (89%) percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 concluded its élevage in large wooden vats for a month and a half, saw a touch less racking than normal, and was only fined with a small amount of gelatin, not egg white, as has been the rule at this address for several years now.

Jamessuckling.com

95

par James Suckling le 22/02/2024

Black currant, violet, lemon blossom and black berry aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and tobacco, black fruit and cedar undertones. It’s tight and chewy, suggesting it needs some bottle age. Some iodine. Oyster shell. 88% cabernet sauvignon. Give this four to five years. Try after 2027.

Wine Spectator

94

par James Molesworth le 22/02/2024

This nicely rendered red unfurls nicely, offering notes of cassis, plum and black cherry puree gilded with violet and lilac hints. A long, sleek iron note stays embedded throughout, while late accents of black tea and warm earth help fill out the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040. 8,504 cases made.  –JM

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

par Jane Anson le 30/01/2024

Inky plum in colour, this is full of Pauillac character, cassis, fennel, pencil lead, liqourice and slate, bitter chocolate, creamy through the mid palate in a way that is unusual in 2021, with a foot on the break that gives a more understated, old school feel than recent vintages of Pichon Baron. Highest level of Cabernet Sauvignon to date (just a slice more than 2018), with 70% new oak for ageing. Harvest through to October 8.

matthewjukes.com

18

par Matthew Jukes le 02/08/2022

Like many of the great estates on the Left Bank, Directeur Général Christian Seely used a considerable slice of Cabernet Sauvignon in his Grand Vin, making it more densely packed and also a composed style of wine. A dark, cool and deep-rooted sense of place forms the structure here, and yet the nose and finish seem relatively suave and elegant. Cassis-soaked and impressively concentrated but in no way heavy, there is a refreshing character on the finish that shows greenness or austerity, marking the way for a successful future. 18

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

par James Suckling le 08/06/2022

Blackcurrant, blueberry, violet and blackberry notes, as well as plenty of spices. Medium to full body with plenty of richness and blackcurrant and ink character. Tar and graphite, too. Precise and structured. Very Pichon Baron in nature here. 88% cabernet sauvignon.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

par Jeb Dunnuck le 02/06/2022

As to the Grand Vin, the 2021 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot that's a selection of 50% of the total production and is resting in 70% new barrels. This straight, pure, incredibly focused and impressive 2021 has deep blue fruits as well as notes of cassis, graphite, chalky minerality, and hints of tobacco. It's elegant and balanced, with ripe tannins as well as good acidity and density.

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 24/05/2022

Grande couleur, corps complet pour l’année, note de violette se superposant aux fruits rouges, grande texture typée par les cabernets. Un pichon-baron réussi, généreux et sans lourdeur. 88 % cabernet-sauvignon, 12 % merlot.

The Vintage Journal

94-95

par Andrew Caillard MW le 17/05/2022

Deep colour. Cassis, dark chocolate, espresso aromas. Richly flavoured wine with blackcurrant, espresso, dark chocolate flavours, fine loose-knit chalky/grainy tannins, lovely natural density and vanilla/roasted chestnut notes. Finishes minerally and long. Very good precision and suppleness. 88% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot. 18 months in 70% new and 30% second-use French oak barriques.

Alexandre Ma

95-96

par Alexandre Ma le 16/05/2022

While the 2020 vintage showed me a gentler image of Pichon Baron, Pichon Baron 2021 is more of a classic Bordeaux in the 1980s wearing swallow-tailed coat. The aromas are more profound and reserved, dominated by the rich spicy notes of black pepper, licorice, star anise, and amomum tsaoko at this stage. Thanks to its tantalizing acidity, the whole palate is enveloped by a sense of crystal-clear freshness. But interestingly, the relatively high acidity does not intensify the tannins. On the contrary, its foundation-like soft texture is particularly striking, obviously a result of very gentle extraction. Patience will be required for Pichon Baron 2021 to fully bloom. According to my knowledge, after the tertiary aromas of truffle, pine, and cypress waft out, this wine will take your breath away. ???2020????????????????,?2021????????????80??“?????????”??????????????,????????????????????????????????????,??????????????,?????,????????????????,????????????????,??????????????2021???????????????,????????,???????????????????,?????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

par Jeff Leve le 16/05/2022

Produced using the highest percentage of Cabernet in the history of the estate, the wine blends 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Merlot. Here you find, espresso, cigar box, cedar, soy=, lead pencil and red with black currants on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, spicy and racy. The tannins are soft, the fruit carries a peppery edge, finishing with layers of sweet, chewy red fruits. This is a perfect example of what a good, classically styled Pauillac should taste like. This is also the finial vintage produced by the incredibly talented, long-time technical director, Jean-Rene Matignon. Drink from 2028-2055. 93-95

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

par Jane Anson le 13/05/2022

Vinous

93-95

par Neal Martin le 12/05/2022

The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron (which, incidentally, has been the legal name since 2021!) is matured in 70% new oak. It opens up nicely in the glass, revealing a straight-down-the-line, floral bouquet of violets intermingled with graphite notes. There is a delicacy about the aromatics that distinguishes it from recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and "athletic.” No extra fat here; instead, perhaps, slender like the Mouton-Rothschild, which is not a bad thing. Nimble might be a better word. Very fine.

Vinous

95-97

par Antonio Galloni le 11/05/2022

The 2021 Pichon-Baron is a dense, packed wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. There is a lot of wine here, but readers have to be patient. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, rose petal and cinnamon add layers of nuance, but more than anything else, the 2021 stands out for its persistence.

vvwine

95-97

par Adrian Van Velsen le 10/05/2022

(In diesem Jahr nur 60% Neues Holz) Leuchtendes Rubinrot. Die Nase ist ein Traum, sensationeller Duft, Johannisbeeren, Brombeeren, Kirschen, Tabak, florale Töne, Tee, Weihnachtsgewürze, ein Gedicht. Im Gaumen saftig und frisch, ungemein feingliedrig, mit knackiger Frucht, feinkörnigen Tanninen und einer top eingebundenen Säure. Der Wein hat super viel Frische, baut Druck auf, wirkt nie schwerfällig, Im Abgang langanhaltend, saftig, frisch, endet auf rote Beeren und einen Hauch Blutorangen. Fantastisch in Sachen Balance und mit grossen Reserven. Wird, ja muss etwas gut reifen. 2028-2055 (Verkostet im April 2022. UGCB)

Anthocyanes

95-97

par Yohan Castaing le 06/05/2022

Assemblages réalisés. Superbe bouquet complexe et frais de fruits noirs "al dente", de violette, de réglisse, d'iris et de fleurs de printemps. Bouche droite, juteuse, de très beaux tanins fins et délicats. Superbe race et grande précision d'ensemble pour des tanins ciselés et frais. Bravo, ce sera assurément un grand Pichon Baron cristallin et sur l'allonge. Magnifique ! 95-97+

Wine Advocate

94-96

par William Kelley le 29/04/2022

A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and penetrating, with terrific concentration and a beautifully refined, classy profile. A blend of fully 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, it represents the wine this great estate could have produced in 1996. One of the real successes of the vintage, readers who overlook this wine will live to regret it. (94 - 96)+

Decanter.com

95

par Georgina Hindle le 01/04/2022

The highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon ever in the blend at 88% completed by 12% Merlot. Cool red and blue fruits on the nose, smells so welcoming with blueberry, vanilla and cola notes. A soft succulence straight away so you know there is good acidity but the structure and the delicate tannins take over and fill the mouth, giving great Cabernet savoury and herbal aspects, filling and expansive while delivering the crystalline purity on the tongue in terms of texture. Tannins are so fine, but this is rich in its depth yet still so focussed and straight. The mid palate has weight but there’s such drive and energy. The lick of stone is welcoming, giving the salinity and yet another element to taste and contemplate. Mighty, thrilling and a joy to taste. Elegant and classic in the best way - this will need some time but will be excellent.

Drinking Window 2027 - 2048