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.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 2012 — First vintage of Les Griffons de Pichon Baron; replaces Les Tourelles as premium second wine
- 2020 — Partial amphora ageing introduced to add mineral texture
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron
- 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
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)
Frequently asked about Les Griffons de Pichon Baron
What does Les Griffons de Pichon Baron taste like?
On the nose, dark cherry, plum, cassis, floral notes, cedar. On the palate, blackcurrant, smooth tannins, chocolate edge, fresh acidity, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a medium-long with fruit and mineral finish. 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.
When should I drink Les Griffons de Pichon Baron?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Les Griffons de Pichon Baron?
Duck confit with lentil salad is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lamb chops with aubergine caviar and Soft-ripened cheese such as Brie de Meaux. The wine's dark fruit and Merlot-sourced richness complement duck's fattiness; lentils echo earthy mineral notes.
What grapes are in Les Griffons de Pichon Baron?
The blend is Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Petit Verdot (5%). The wine is classified as Pauillac AOC.