| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
Tasted at the London Pichon-Baron off-line. This is a great '98 Pauillac. A deep garnet colour. The bouquet is ebullient, ripe, a sense of ""constrained exoticism"" with blackberry, creme de cassis and sandalwood. It might lack a little finesse but it is a captivating perfume. The palate is developing nicely quite primal, good structure with a touch of dried herbs and mint. Drive by pure, cedary Cabernet Sauvignon and a tarry, slight austere finish. Impressive, but give it time. Drink 2011-2020. Tasted May 2009.
Touches of cocoa bean, espresso, chocolate shavings, clear concentration, blackberry and raspberry fruits, cracked black peppercorns, spiced cedar and earth. A franction of a dip through the mid palate, but showing no signs of fading away. One of the most enjoyable 1998 Left Banks that I have tasted recently - but not at the level of the best Right Banks from the vintage. Served from magnum. 80% new oak.
A definitive Pauillac, the dense purple-colored 1998 Pichon-Baron offers up a sweet bouquet of licorice, smoke, asphalt, blackberries, and creme de cassis. In the mouth, the wine is elegant rather than full-blown, with medium body, sweet fruit, nice texture on the attack and mid-palate, and moderate tannin in the long finish. No, this is not as profound as the 1996, 1990 or 1989, but it is an outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.
