| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Closed but promising, this is a tannic, masculine style of wine in 2006, with an inky bluish/purple color as well as aromas of incense, charcoal, smoked meats, and the classic creme de cassis that one finds in the top Pauillacs. The aromatics are still retrained, but the wine is full-bodied in the mouth, tannic, backward, and set for a relatively long life. This is not one of the profound wines from Pichon Longueville Baron, but it is certainly a top-flight success for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.
The 2006 Château Pichon Baron has more red than black fruit on the nose, quite showy with hints of crème de cassis and then later it calms down to reveal classic pencil lead aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip in the mouth. This is quite assertive and grippy, although later vintages have evinced more precision and mineralité on the finish. Still, this is a fine if rather burly Pichon Baron.
Loads of ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft tannins that are ripe and round. Long finish. Almost 92-94.
One of the rare estates where the 2006 is a step above the 2005 - one of those wines that makes doing a vertical so rewarding, as you discover the hidden successes, and this is one I highly recommend. Waves of sweet blackberry and juicy raspberry fruits, toned and muscular tannins, sinewy with bounce, extremely inviting overall. Tobacco leaf and slate, signature Pauillac pencil lead and grilled cedar all combine to give a drawn out finish. The underground cellar opened in this year, so they were able to extend the length of ageing because had more space for the barrels, and it has paid off. 80% new oak. Jean-René Matignon technical director.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 56% of the production went into the grand vin (just about average) from the same terroirs every year.
Thick and dense colour. Scented, sleek, dry, compact. Bit of mulberry. Very high IPT at 83 but it doesn’t taste like it. Masses of inky stuff but pretty mellow too - fine and silky texture. Well done because there is freshness too. Very slightly dry on the finish - certainly not voluptuous but actually quite supple. No greenness.
Full ruby-red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, cassis, minerals, bitter chocolate and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and densely packed, with lovely violet lift to its concentrated dark fruit and mineral flavors. Juicy acidity and serious building tannins give this very young wine terrific backbone for aging. Really spreads out to saturate the palate.
A strong effort from this well-run estate, Pichon Baron’s 2006 exhibits an inky/purple color as well as a sweet, pure nose of black currants, cedar, and smoky new oak. Full-bodied with ripe tannin, impressive concentration, and a layered mouthfeel, this is another noteworthy offering from an estate that has been remarkably successful over the last 15+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025+.
Tasted at the château. A deep garnet core. A broody, austere nose with a slight greenness behind layers of toasty new oak. The palate offers more than the nose, with a rigid structure, slightly bitter tannins, notes of blackberry and tobacco. Very masculine, perhaps lacking some punch or a seductive lushness on the finish, this is a difficult Pichon Baron to love and may show better in bottle paired with food. Tasted April 2007.
