1998 Pichon Baron
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Tasting notes
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.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Pichon Baron has a deep garnet core with just light bricking on the rim. It has a pleasant blackberry, fig and cedar-scented bouquet, hints of fresh mint coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin that have clearly mellowed over the last two decades. This is not a complex Pichon Baron however, it is well balanced with light tobacco and subtle meaty notes infusing the black fruit, perhaps with just a touch of rustic towards the finish. Drink now and over the next 15 years. Tasted at the château. (NM)
Very firm and vigorous with lots of purple in the crimson and admirable freshness and structure still evident but clearly resolved enough, and ripe enough, to enjoy already. Both supple and subtle but still quite youthful. A success. (JR)
About the producer
Pauillac’s Ch. Pichon Baron, formerly known as Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron, is ranked as one of the 15 Second Growths from the 1855 Classification and is considered one of the "Super Seconds".