Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron

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.

How to serve Chateau Pichon-Longueville 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. Roast leg of Pauillac lamb, Grilled ribeye with bone marrow, Wild mushroom Wellington. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

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.

1. 1855: Classified as Deuxieme Cru Classe in the Medoc classification
2. 1987: Acquired by AXA Millesimes; major winery reconstruction and quality improvement begins
3. 2022: 2022 vintage drew strong in-bottle critical review from Wine Advocate (William Kelley, March 2025; reviewer-points tuples on scores array)

Facts

Producer

Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron · visiting guide

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

Frequently asked about Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron

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