Pichon Baron 2009

Pauillac, Second Growth

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Tasting Notes
Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2045 01 March 2012
An inky/blue/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of incense, flowery black currants, and subtle smoke and oak. This full-bodied 2009, which exhibits wonderful intensity, purity, and length, is an exceptional effort, but in this vintage, it must take a back seat to some of its peers, such as Pichon Lalande, Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages, not to mention all the first-growths. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful wine that should drink well for 30+ years. (Tasted three times.) Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2040 27 April 2010
Amazing aromas of ripe currants and plums with flowers. Full body, with super fine tannins and wonderful fruit. It is energized. Better than I remember it from barrel. Reminds me of the 1990 PB. Try after 2020. Score: 97 James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012
Loads of currant and blackberry, with mineral and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with ultrafine, very long tannins. Really builds on the palate. A racy style, with excellent length. Score: 92 - 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010
The renaissance of this historic Classed Growth began in the 1980’s under the direction of Jean-Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages. Now under the direction of Christian Seely, the fairytale Chateau was renovated while huge investments took place with the complete rebuilding of the chai. One of the most popular names in Pauillac, Baron is consistently great. Lovely exotic nose, dense with ripe currant fruit and some minerals. Vanilla, toast and a huge, solid, black fruit core. Substantial but polished with very fine grained tannins, lively acidity and a long toasty finish. Score: 93 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010
Black red, big, smoky rich and exotic nose, lots of depth, robust vineyard structure and powerful yet harmonious length, all vigourous potential. Drink 2017-35. (18.5 points) Score: 18 - 19 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 01 April 2010
33 hl/ha, older vines. Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot – they say Merlot quality in 09 was very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. IPT (total polyphenol index) 88, TA 3.4 g/l. One of the most concentrated vintages ever – from fruit not extraction. Very very dark crimson. Very mineral and grown up. Lovely lift and great, polished tannins. Very fresh and fine tannins with density and lift on the finish. Very sophisticated. Lots of mass. Remjnds me a little of their 1990, though the yields were very much lower in 2009. Very glossy and confident. Very sophisticated. 13.8% Alc Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 31 March 2010
Tasted at the château and at the UGC. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, picked between 24th September and the 9th October, cropped at around 35hl/ha and bestowed with 13.76% alcohol. This has a very tight nose at first, demanding coaxing from the glass. Very fine definition, a strict linearity at first, opening up a glacial pace, graphite, smoke, small black cherries, a hint of bilberry and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied with brilliant definition and focus, even finer tannins than the stupendous 2008, very rounded and supple and yet with a firm linear backbone. No frills at the moment, just pure concentration. Wonderful persistency towards the finish. Top class. Tasted March 2010. Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

Tasting Notes

Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2045 01 March 2012

An inky/blue/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of incense, flowery black currants, and subtle smoke and oak. This full-bodied 2009, which exhibits wonderful intensity, purity, and length, is an exceptional effort, but in this vintage, it must take a back seat to some of its peers, such as Pichon Lalande, Pontet-Canet and Lynch-Bages, not to mention all the first-growths. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful wine that should drink well for 30+ years. (Tasted three times.)

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2040 27 April 2010

Amazing aromas of ripe currants and plums with flowers. Full body, with super fine tannins and wonderful fruit. It is energized. Better than I remember it from barrel. Reminds me of the 1990 PB. Try after 2020.

Score: 97

James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012

Loads of currant and blackberry, with mineral and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with ultrafine, very long tannins. Really builds on the palate. A racy style, with excellent length.

Score: 92 - 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

The renaissance of this historic Classed Growth began in the 1980’s under the direction of Jean-Michel Cazes of Lynch Bages. Now under the direction of Christian Seely, the fairytale Chateau was renovated while huge investments took place with the complete rebuilding of the chai. One of the most popular names in Pauillac, Baron is consistently great. Lovely exotic nose, dense with ripe currant fruit and some minerals. Vanilla, toast and a huge, solid, black fruit core. Substantial but polished with very fine grained tannins, lively acidity and a long toasty finish.

Score: 93 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Black red, big, smoky rich and exotic nose, lots of depth, robust vineyard structure and powerful yet harmonious length, all vigourous potential. Drink 2017-35. (18.5 points)

Score: 18 - 19

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2035 01 April 2010

33 hl/ha, older vines. Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot – they say Merlot quality in 09 was very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. IPT (total polyphenol index) 88, TA 3.4 g/l. One of the most concentrated vintages ever – from fruit not extraction. Very very dark crimson. Very mineral and grown up. Lovely lift and great, polished tannins. Very fresh and fine tannins with density and lift on the finish. Very sophisticated. Lots of mass. Remjnds me a little of their 1990, though the yields were very much lower in 2009. Very glossy and confident. Very sophisticated. 13.8% Alc

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 31 March 2010

Tasted at the château and at the UGC. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, picked between 24th September and the 9th October, cropped at around 35hl/ha and bestowed with 13.76% alcohol. This has a very tight nose at first, demanding coaxing from the glass. Very fine definition, a strict linearity at first, opening up a glacial pace, graphite, smoke, small black cherries, a hint of bilberry and crushed stones. The palate is full-bodied with brilliant definition and focus, even finer tannins than the stupendous 2008, very rounded and supple and yet with a firm linear backbone. No frills at the moment, just pure concentration. Wonderful persistency towards the finish. Top class. Tasted March 2010.

Score: 95 - 97

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 March 2010

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