| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Potentially the best of all the Pauillacs in 2013 (along with Mouton Rothschild), Pichon Baron is dense purple to the rim, which is not typical in this vintage, and exhibits stunning creme de cassis notes along with licorice, forest floor and white flowers. It is medium-bodied, but very complete, with serious texture, impressive purity, depth and ripe tannins on the finish. This is another 2013 that tastes atypically full and impressive. The final blend from a tiny crop at Pichon Longueville Baron was 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot. Drink it over the next 12-15 years
The 2013 Pichon-Longueville Baron is definitely one of the better Pauillacs of the vintage, although it does not quite hurdle over the obstacles placed by the growing season with the ease I thought it would. Blackberry, cedar and a touch of chimney soot here, good fruit intensity for the vintage with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, quite compact in the mouth, linear and masculine with a slightly austere but fresh, short finish. Not bad at all, though Christian Seely has overseen wines in a different league from this in recent years.
This has a really beautiful depth and finish to it with chocolate, blackberry, black currant and light mint character. Full. Very long. Seamless tannins. Hints of acidity. Better in 2019 but already excellent.
A severe selection and careful work in the vineyard helped them to navigate the pitfalls of this difficult vintage. Far more successful than many, with brambled autumnal fruit and plenty of smoke. A softer frame than many other years of Pichon Baron, but there is density through the mid palate, and balance. I suggest drinking over the next 5 to 10 years to really maximise the fruit. Yield around 20hl/h, 70% new oak.
The Grand Vin is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot that is being raised in 70% new wood cropped between 20 and 25hl/ha. Harvest kicked off with the old Merlot vines on 7 October and finishing with the old Cabernet vines between 11 and 14 October. Since 2000 until 2011 they have produced 180,000 bottles per year and in 2013 it is 120,000 cases. It has a crisp, defined bouquet with crisp blackberry and cassis fruit interlaced by a fine mineral component. It has less flair than recent vintages - more linear in style. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, gently grippy tannins. There is good depth here, great purity although it does not fan out on the finish like say, the 2009 or 2010. That is to be expected. Otherwise, this is a classic Pichon Baron that should be suitable for early consumption. Tasted April 2014.
This is fantastic for 2013 with seamless tannins and a long finish. Extremely well made. Full body, with lovely core of fruit and a fresh finish. Tannin tension here. Reminds me of the excellent 1988. About 82% cabernet sauvignon and 18% merlot.
