1966 | Château Pichon-Longueville Baron | Pauillac

Detailed Description

The palate is an explosion of delicate flavors, nice and delightful mouthfeel. Quite delicate and smooth texture on the long finish.

Producer Information

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, often referred to simply as “Pichon Baron”, is a well-regarded wine estate in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc wine region, on the so-called “left bank” of the Gironde estuary. It was rated as a second growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and as with other top Pauillac wines, the grand vin is prized for its combination of powerful dark fruits, finesse and elegance, and the ability to age for many decades. The estate vineyard is situated at the southern end of Pauillac, bordering the Saint-Julien appellation, and sits across the road from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Château Latour. Château Pichon-Longueville Baron’s estate vineyards cover some 73 hectares (180 acres) and are planted to roughly 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 35 percent Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. After fermentation in vats the best batches of young wine are earmarked for Pichon Baron and aged in new wood for around three months. Then a second assessment is made and the final blend is decided. Barrel aging for the grand vin lasts from 18 to 20 months. Les Tourelles de Longueville is the second wine of the estate, sourced principally from the Sainte Anne plot, which is planted mainly to Merlot. The Les Griffons de Pichon label is a new addition to the portfolio. It is sourced from the same vineyard plots as Pichon Baron, and is aged for the same length of time, but blended to achieve a softer structure and earlier drinkability. A larger Pichon-Longueville estate existed until 1850, when it was split in two. Baron Raoul Pichon de Longueville inherited one part, with the remainder being passed down to his three sisters as Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (aka Pichon Comtesse). The imposing, much-photographed château was begun by the Baron in 1851. Pichon Baron has been owned by AXA, the French insurance company, since 1987.