2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron - Pauillac AOC

Decanter.com – 95 pts – GH: *Dark and heady on the nose, richly fruited and perfumed, smells serious and deep and totally inviting with dark chocolate, coffee and mocha notes with blackcurrant and black cherry and spiced vanilla, tobacco and cedar. Energetic, lively, vivid and bright on the palate but deep too, such a lovely vibrancy laced with liquorice, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Definitely serious but I love the energy, potency and florality. Structured and intense, totally seductive in a heady way yet still lively with a juicy core of strawberry, red cherry and blackcurrant. Feels nicely constructed and considered. A great second wine.* - 01/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflee, dezente Randaufhellung. Intensive rotbeerige Frucht, Nuancen von Himbeeren und Cassis, frische Kirschen, dezente Holzwürze. Mittlere Komplexität, gute Frische, rote Kirschen, integrierte Tannine, mineralisch-salzig im Abgang, straff und mit Reifepotenzial ausgestattet.* - 02/2023

Robert Parkers Wine Advocate - 91-93pts - LPB: *The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a blend of 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. It is being aged for an estimated 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. This label represents 25% of the harvest. Deep purple-black colored, it howls with unrestrained scents of crushed black plums, ripe boysenberries and black cherry preserves, leading to nuances of ground cloves, licorice and rose oil. The medium-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruits and a plush texture, delivering just enough freshness to lift the long, energetic finish.* - 05/21

Vinum Magazin – 16/20 pts: *Erfreulicher Griffon, besitzt Saft, Dichte und Rasse im Stil des Grand vin. Sollte reifen.*

WeinWisser – 17,5+/20pts - WL: *50 % Merlot, 42 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 8 % Petit Verdot. Sattes Purpur mit opaker Mitte und lila Rand. Komplexes Bouquet mit feinem Waldhimbeerbouquet, dahinter Alpenheidelbeere, edle Cassiswürze und ein voller Strauß mit Veilchen. Am mittleren Gaumen mit weicher Textur, gut unterlegtes reifes Tanningerüst, fein sandiges Extrakt und eleganter Körper. Im gebündelten Finale mit vielen kleinen schwarzen Beeren, Lakritze und Brasiltabak. Die Vorfreude auf den Grand Vin steigt! Best-Buy!* – 04/2021

JancisRobinson.com - 16+/20pts - JL: *Slightly different blend as it contains the Petit Verdot that is usually in Les Tourelles. Cabernet, though, defines the aromatics with cassis and crushed-rock notes. Serious structure, the tannins present but matted and long. Demands some patience. * - 04/2021
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JancisRobinson.com - 16/20pts - RH: *Cask sample. Plush and succulent, but after the impressive fruit there does seem to be a bit of hollowness on the finish. Violet and olive on the palate. Medium persistence, which is fair for a second wine. * - 05/2021

JamesSuckling.com - 93-94pts - JS: *A punchy red with blackberry and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, yet extremely refined and polished with a long finish. 50% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot.* - 04/21

Vinous.com – 93 pts – AG: *The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a powerful, concentrated wine. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, with terrific textural intensity, Les Griffons exudes charm. Black cherry, espresso, licorice, cloves, chocolate and menthol infuse the 2020 with tons of character. All the elements are impeccably balanced throughout in this Pauillac from gravelly soils.* - 12/2022

Vinous.com – 93 pts – NM: *The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron contains the Petit Verdot that was previously blended with the Les Tourelles. This has an intense nose with graphite and chalk-tinged black fruit, touches of black olive compote emerging with time, all with wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm and saturated tannins, very pure, precise and poised. Gentle grip with a lively, citrus-fresh finish, and hints of blue fruit on the aftertaste.* - 12/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 92 pts – JL: *Highly perfumed, notes of tobacco, flowers, dark chocolate, blackberries and black currants pop with little effort in the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium/full-earthy, rich, lifted and forward. It's round in the mouth with ripe, polished tannins and a creamy finish. Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is produced from a vat selection made before the final blending. Drink from 2024-2040.* - 03/2023