Tasting Notes
Vinous 95
The 2008 Pichon-Baron has a much better bouquet than the 2007 (as you would expect), replete with blackberry, blueberry, minerals and graphite that are all very well defined and focused. The oak here is superbly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, and full of tension and energy. It builds nicely in the mouth, delivering real brightness and vivacity on the finish but retaining that sense of subtle Pauillac austerity. In many ways this is quintessential Pichon-Baron and one of the overachievers in recent years. It comes highly recommended. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2045
Robert Parker 96
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. “Oh baby baby†as Salt ‘n Pepa declared back in the day: Pichon Baron is a real star of this vintage. It is a little introverted at first, tightly-wound dark berries, tar and graphite and a touch of autumnal leaves. The palate has a chewy entry, good acidity, firm grip with a dense persuasive finish that is First Growth standard. There is quite a bit of extraction here but it is beautifully focused and tensile. This is one of the finest Left Bank wines. Tasted January 2012.
JancisRobinson.com 18.0
Another very dense dark crimson wine. Very high toned. Delicate palate attack – rather vivacious. Not concentrated and dances across the palate. Very racy. Rather silky. Very good balance and rather aristocratic. Though far from dense. Real lift on the end. Very dry finish. Nothing luscious about this!
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2032
