In the glass
Aroma: creme de cassis, pencil shavings, licorice, lilac, dark berries
Palate: blackcurrant, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco, slate, mineral edges
Pauillac second-growth with an unusually high Cabernet Sauvignon proportion for the appellation. AXA Millesimes' investment since 1987 has lifted consistency dramatically; the 2022 vintage drew especially strong critical praise in bottle.
What it pairs with
-
Roast leg of Pauillac lamb
Local AOC lamb is the archetypal pairing; Pichon Baron's firm Cabernet structure and cassis cut the fat beautifully. -
Grilled ribeye with bone marrow
The wine's power and structure are matched by the richness of a marrow-enriched steak. -
Wild mushroom Wellington
In older vintages, Pichon Baron develops earthy, mushroom tones that echo the filling.
History
The Pichon estate was divided in 1850 between Baron and Comtesse heirs; both halves were classified as Second Growths in 1855. The Baron half, now Pichon-Longueville Baron, was acquired by AXA Millesimes in 1987 along with major cellar renovations. Alexandra Lebossé has been winemaker since 2017.
- 1855 — Classified as Deuxieme Cru Classe in the Medoc classification
- 1987 — Acquired by AXA Millesimes; major winery reconstruction and quality improvement begins
- 2022 — Wine Advocate 98-point vintage (William Kelley in-bottle review, March 2025)
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (17%), Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- Classification
- Pauillac AOC, Deuxieme Cru Classe (1855 classification)
- Oak
- 18 months in 80% new French oak barriques
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- $80-160 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-35 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1694
Scores
- Wine Advocate 98 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)