2017 Chateau Pichon-Baron - 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac

Decanter.com – 99 pts – GH, VA, AH: *Now part of the AXA Millésimes group, Pichon Baron was founded in the late 17th century. Its grand vin is sourced from the very oldest vines on the estate, with each plot fermented separately. With 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, this was aged for 18 months – 80% in new barrels. Georgie Hindle: Floral, sweetly scented raspberries on the nose with some milk chocolate aromas. Broad-shouldered but graceful too. Wow, this is excellent. Vincenzo Arnese: Poised and balanced. The nose is ripe and concentrated with notes of prune, dark cherry and blackcurrant, cola and liquorice. Good body and rich, integrated tannins. Fantastic long finish. Great potential. Andy Howard MW: Not at all showy, this is a wine to give time to. Wonderful dark fruit on the palate with floral notes, elegant tannins and integrated oak. A classic Pauillac, which is remarkable in the context of 2017 overall.* - 02/2022

Falstaff Magazin - 92pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, verhalten, zart kräuterwürzig unterlegte schwarze Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Kirschen, Orangenzesten. Stoffig, kraftvoll, schwarze Frucht, präsente Tannine, die noch dominant wirken, deutliche Edelholzwürze, mineralisch, anhaftend, zeigt im Moment so gut wie keine Frucht, salziger Nachhall, wird einige Jahre brauchen, ein recht strenger Zeitgenosse.* - 05/2018

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 95-97pts - LPB: *Pichon-Longueville Baron is deep garnet-purple in color and simply sings of vibrant blackcurrants, black cherries and rose hip notes with nuances of potpourri, incense, licorice and pencil shavings plus touches of cigar box and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, super intense and possessing stunning poise, it has very firm, fine-grained tannins and a beautifully silken texture, with bags of freshness and a very long, perfumed finish.* -04/2018

Vinum Magazin – 18,5/20pts: *Perfekte Illustration des Jahrgangs und des Stils; majestätisch, voller Rasse, Frische und Länge trotz des noch prägenden Ausbaus, noch einmal besser als en Primeur.* - 09/2020

WeinWisser – 18,5/20 pts – GL: *Der Wein aus dem sogenannten Frost-Jahrgang präsentiert sich mit charmanter rot- und blaubeeriger Frucht, typischer Pauillac-Würze und erdig-mineralischen Noten sowie Zigarrenkiste. Am mittelkräftigen, durchaus mit Finessen durchzogenen Gaumen spürt man die in 2017 häufig praktizierte sanfte Extraktion. Der Wein lebt von seiner Eleganz, Frische, den würzigen Nuancen sowie der maskulinen Erdigkeit.* – 04/2020

Winespectator.com - 92-95pts - JM: *This is nice, with dark plum and blackberry compote flavors that have a fleshy edge, while light bay, tobacco and savory notes add range, combining with the vintage’s fresh acidity and bright mineral edge.* -03/2018

JancisRobinson.com – 17+/20pts – JL: *79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot. Aged 18 months in oak barrels (80% new). Ruby-garnet hue. Red- and dark-fruit aromas on the nose but ever so slightly diffuse. Palate more precise. Generous fruit, touch of vanilla oak and finely honed tannins. Attractive but serious at the same time, the power and structure deceptive.* - 03/2023

quarin.com - 17,75/20pts - JMQ: *Ample à l’attaque, juteux au développement, très fruité, gras en milieu de bouche, le vin évolue savoureux, complet, toujours juteux et profond avec beaucoup de goût. Longue finale noble, suave, aux nuances de fruits, de réglisse et d’encre, une grande réussite !*

JamesSuckling.com - 95-96pts - JS: *This is very centered and focused on the mid-palate with beautiful currant, coffee and walnut character. Full-bodied and superfine. Strong tannins and a long and bright finish. Lots of blackcurrants and blackberries in the end.* 04/2018

Vinous.com – 94+ pts – AG: *The 2017 Pichon-Baron has developed into a potent wine, even by its own standards. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, grilled herbs, licorice, new leather and spice all flesh out in a succulent Pauillac that shows the racier personality of the year. In the glass, Pichon is dark, racy and sumptuous as it so often is, with terrific density and explosive energy. Today, I see less of the aromatic brilliance the wine showed en primeur; perhaps that will come with time. The 2017 spent 18 months in 80% new oak.* - 03/2020

Vinous.com – 93 pts – NM: *The 2017 Pichon-Baron was picked from 18 September with the Merlot, finishing on 3 October with the Cabernet Sauvignon, matured in 80% new oak for 20 months. It has a crisp, precise and tightly wound bouquet, although the aromatics feel a little reticent. Likewise, the tannins are a little conspicuous at this precise moment. They will soften with time. There is commendable body and precision, slightly peppery towards the finish with a tang of cracked black pepper on the aftertaste. Very fine - what you might call a "solid" Pichon Baron.* - 02/2020

The Wine Cellar Insider - xxpts - JL: *[…] Dense, concentrated and full bodied, the wine wraps around your palate with immaculate purity and plush velvety tannins. There is opulence, power, structure, austerity and balance, which lingers in the mouth for nearly 50 seconds.* -04/2018