Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

In the glass

Aroma: dark cherry, plum, cassis, floral notes, cedar

Palate: blackcurrant, smooth tannins, chocolate edge, fresh acidity, mineral

Premium second wine of Pichon Baron introduced with the 2012 vintage. Merlot-dominant versus the Cabernet-heavy grand vin; since 2020, partially aged in amphora to add minerality and texture without excessive oak.

What it pairs with

• Duck confit with lentil salad
  The wine's dark fruit and Merlot-sourced richness complement duck's fattiness; lentils echo earthy mineral notes.
• Lamb chops with aubergine caviar
  Merlot softness and cassis fruit of Les Griffons work beautifully with lamb's sweetness and charred aubergine's smokiness.
• Soft-ripened cheese such as Brie de Meaux
  Fruit-forward Merlot profile pairs with creamy soft-rinded cheeses without the tannin of the grand vin overwhelming them.

How to serve Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Duck confit with lentil salad, Lamb chops with aubergine caviar, Soft-ripened cheese such as Brie de Meaux. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Introduced with the 2012 vintage to replace the previous second wine Les Tourelles de Longueville as the primary second label. Les Griffons is positioned as a premium second wine rather than a declassified offcut, with selected parcels, higher Merlot, and since 2020 a portion of amphora ageing.

1. 2012: First vintage of Les Griffons de Pichon Baron; replaces Les Tourelles as premium second wine
2. 2020: Partial amphora ageing introduced to add mineral texture

Facts

Producer

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron · visiting guide

Grapes

Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (5%)

Classification

Pauillac AOC

Oak

60% new French oak, partially aged in amphora since 2020

ABV

13.0%

Price

$40-70 at retail

Drinking window

5-20 from vintage

First vintage

2012

Frequently asked about Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

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