2023 Chateau Pichon-Baron - 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac

Decanter.com – 97 pts – GH: *Perfumed nose, fragrant and so scented, a touch of blackcurrant leaf, plum, graphite and dark chocolate. Silky soft, bright and so delicately presented. Crunchy and crisp red fruits and ripe black fruits with some spiced undercurrents and wet stone touches. Much lighter in terms of fruit profile than some - summer berries, tangy and vibrant with super fine tannins giving the structure and support. This has finesse and power - less plushness and richness than last year of course - it’s more sleek and straight, firm and controlled but still has width and layers of flavour and texture. Refined, and definitely cool. ‘Classicism’ with no overt heat on offer. I love the hint of strawberry sweetness and tannins that completely coat the mouth. I think this will be great in time. Maybe not so charming right now but there’s no faulting the finesse and refinement. 44% grand vin production. 12% press. 3.7pH.* - 04/2024

Falstaff Magazin – 97 pts – PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholznuancen, reife schwarze Beerenfrucht, zart nach Cassis und Herzkirschen, Nuancen von Kräutern, kandierte Orangenzesten sind unterlegt. Komplex, saftig, elegant, reife Kirschen, seidige Tannine, die gut tragen, mineralisch-salzig, ein Hauch von Röstaromen im Nachhall, sicheres Reifepotenzial, mit überzeugender Länge ausgestattet.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 98/100 pts: *Ein faszinierender Duft, sehr tief, nobel, distinguierter als in anderen Jahren; klassisch am Gaumen, druckvoll, strukturiert, finessenreich, geschliffenes Tannin, feine Säure, ausgesprochen lang und mit salinem Abgang. Pichon-Eleganz auf höchstem Niveau.*

JancisRobinson.com – 17,5/20pts – JL: *80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. 37 hl/ha. 44% of the production. Cask sample. Complex and refined on the nose with graphite, cedar and dark-fruit notes. Long and linear with finely honed and abundant tannins. Powerful but subtle and discreet. Ageing potential.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (95-97) pts – AG: *The 2023 Pichon Baron is stellar. It is another wine in this lineup that impresses with its finesse and nobility. Dark and enveloping, with terrific freshness, this Grand Vin is so expressive. The 2023 is an understated, wonderfully refined Pichon Baron. Dark fruit, violet and mocha build into the resonant finish.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2023 Pichon Baron was picked September 12 until October 4 and matured in 70% new oak. Now, this is a conspicuous level up over the Les Griffons. Perhaps the quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon, comprising 80% of the blend, exaggerates the difference between the two cuvées. It seems to gain intensity with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins that frame the graphite-infused black fruit. It’s very focused, fresh and quite sapid in the mouth, with a subtle strictness that codifies this as Pichon Baron. The 2023 is a quintessential Pauillac that will age gracefully over the next 30 or 40 years. It reminds me a little of the 2019. Classic "P.B.".* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *If you like a great cigar, you came to the right place as the first thing you notice is the cigar box, and tobacco wrapper nuances before moving to the smoke, leafy herb, creme de cassis, blackberries, spice, flowers, and forest floor in the perfume. The palate is even better with its multiple layers of black, with red fruits, mouthfuls of fresh, ripe, chewy, red berries, Indian spice, and a lingering finish that holds your focus for at least 50 seconds. The key to the vintage was patience during harvesting to achieve phenolic ripeness. This is the quintessential example of a classic, modern Bordeaux. The wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot. 13.2% ABV, 3.7 pH. The harvest took place September 17 for the Merlot, ending October 4 with the Cabernet. 44% of the harvest went into the Grand Vin. Drink from 2030-2065.* - 05/2024