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Château Pichon Baron Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2012

Reviews

94 -Vinous -

The 2012 Pichon Baron has a fragrant bouquet with well-defined black fruit, cedar and subtle sous-bois aromas, unfolding with a sense of confidence with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fine acidity, good weight and body. Well-proportioned towards the finish, this is a classy Pauillac and has the edge over Pichon-Lalande at the moment. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

94 -Jeb Dunnuck -

A silky, pure, even sexy, Pauillac that excels in the vintage, the 2012 from Pichon Longueville Baron sports a deep ruby/purple color to go with surprisingly ripe notes of black currants, toasted bread, saddle leather and sweet oak. Full-bodied, ripe, plush and supple, with low acidity and ripe, yet present tannin, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will drink beautifully over the following 15-20 years.

94 -James Suckling -

93 -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -

As for the big sibling, the 2012 Pichon Baron (80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot) probably has the most saturated purple color of the Pauillacs. Its structure is apparent, and the wine offers a wealth of blackcurrant fruit interwoven with licorice, graphite, and background toasty oak. Full-bodied, opulent and moderately tannic, this wine is approachable now because of its low acidity, but promises to age beautifully for 20+ years. This is another great classic from Pichon Baron.

92 -Wine Spectator -

92 -Decanter -

As a vintage, 2012 was similar to 2014, but with a notch less intensity and ripeness. The nose is muted, with blackcurrant and blackberry aromas. It's oaky but stylish, with some torrefied notes. Rich and full-bodied, the palate is velvety and concentrated, with imposing fruit. It's more forward and shows less tension than 2014, but has a lot of structure for the vintage. Supple tannins on the long finish.

Technical Details

Blend 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
Winemaker Jean-René Matignon
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub Region Left Bank
Appellation Haut-Médoc
Vineyard Estate vineyard of 73 hectares with old vines averaging 40 years of age. The fruit for this wine comes from a selected 40 hectare lot.
Farming Method Sustainably farmed, with High Environmental Value (HVE / Haute Valeur Environnementale) Level 3 certification
Oak 70% new and 30% second fill French oak
Fermentation Fermented in temperature-controlled traditional Bordeaux vats
Aging / Cooperage 18 months in 70% new and 30% second fill French oak
Alcohol 13%
Production 14,200 cases

Château Pichon Baron Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2012

Name: Château Pichon Baron Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2012
Brand: First Bottle
SKU: 1015015
Price: 149.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Red Blends | Bordeaux

VN94, JD94, JS94, WA93, WS92, DC92

Sustainably farmed, with High Environmental Value (HVE / Haute Valeur Environnementale) Level 3 certification

$225.00

$149.95

750ML

33% OFF RETAIL!

Pichon Baron sits across the road from Pichon Comtesse at the southern edge of Pauillac, a Second Growth estate with serious gravelly terroir and a distinctive, powerful house style built primarily around Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 is a classically proportioned wine: Vinous awarded 94, Jeb Dunnuck 94, James Suckling 94, Wine Advocate 93, Wine Spectator 92, and Decanter 92. Deep in color, with cassis, cedar, graphite, and light tobacco on the nose, this is a firmly structured, medium to full-bodied Pauillac entering a lovely drinking window with plenty of life still ahead. At the price we have it, this is a well-priced entry into one of Bordeaux's finest Second Growths.

About The Producer

The twin to Pichon Comtesse across the road, yet unmistakably its own animal. The estate traces its founding to 1694, when Thérèse de Rauzan received the vineyard as part of her dowry upon marrying Baron Jacques Pichon de Longueville, and it remained in the family's hands for nearly two and a half centuries. In 1850 the original unified Pichon estate was divided, with Baron Raoul's share becoming Pichon Baron, earning Second Growth status in the 1855 Classification. After the Bouteiller family's long stewardship, the estate fell into a period of underperformance relative to its classified status, and the decisive turning point came in 1987 when AXA Millésimes acquired the property. Jean-Michel Cazes of Château Lynch-Bages was appointed administrator, launching a sweeping program of investment and restoration that included a striking new winery, deep terroir mapping, and a commitment to Pauillac's most ambitious winemaking standards. Today the estate is managed by Christian Seely, with Pierre Montégut serving as technical director since 2022, and winemaker Alexandra Lebossé, who has been with the estate since 1999. The 73-hectare vineyard is planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) and Merlot (30%), with parcel-by-parcel vinification across 44 stainless steel vats lending the winemaking a precision that is reflected in the glass. Where Pichon Comtesse leans toward sensuality and silk, Pichon Baron delivers power, structure, and the kind of Pauillac backbone built for the long haul.

$225.00

$149.95

750ML

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