Château PICHON LONGUEVILLE BARON 2019
In Pauillac, Château Pichon Longueville Baron occupies one of the most emblematic terroirs of the appellation, facing the Gironde estuary and in immediate proximity to several Premier Crus Classés. Second Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the estate relies on deep gravelly slopes particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. This grape variety naturally forms the backbone of the wine, providing structure, freshness, and great aging potential, while Merlot enriches the mid-palate with a softer and fleshier texture. For several decades, the property has pursued extremely precise parcel work to reserve the most accomplished lots for the grand vin. The 2019 vintage benefited from a warm and bright season, yet sufficiently balanced to preserve beautiful freshness in the grapes. This combination gives birth to a deep and concentrated Pauillac, without heaviness, where the ripeness of the fruit is supported by a particularly clear mineral framework. Pichon Baron 2019 thus expresses the full power of the terroir in a style still very young but already remarkably harmonious.
Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2019 blends 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot. The high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon gives the wine a straight and deep architecture, dominated by blackcurrant, blackberry, and graphite. Merlot brings a more enveloping texture and helps soften the mid-palate without erasing the natural tension of the whole. The grapes are vinified parcel by parcel to preserve the personality of each sector before composing the final blend. Extractions are conducted with precision to accompany the concentration of the vintage without hardening the tannins. Aging in French oak barrels gradually refines the structure and allows the wood to integrate with the depth of the fruit. The 2019 has remarkable density, but also fine tannins and freshness that give it considerable aging potential.
The color shows a very deep garnet with still bright ruby reflections. The nose opens with blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, accompanied by cedar, graphite, and violet. With aeration, blond tobacco, licorice, cocoa, and fine spicy nuances gradually appear. The palate is ample and structured, with tight tannins but a particularly fine grain that gives a sensation of continuous depth. Cabernet Sauvignon provides remarkable length, while Merlot retains just enough flesh to envelop the structure. The finish is long, straight, and persistent, on black fruits, graphite, cedar, and a slight smoky dimension. Château Pichon Longueville Baron 2019 will accompany a roasted rack of lamb, a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, pigeon, royal hare, or refined cuisine around black truffle.
Grape varieties: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot
