Château Pichon Longueville Baron
Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Château Pichon Longueville Baron

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Château Pichon Longueville Baron occupies one of the finest gravel terroirs in the south of Pauillac, adjacent to that of Latour. Classified as a Second Cru Classé in 1855, this estate of some 73 hectares is planted predominantly with cabernet sauvignon, complemented by merlot and a touch of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The result is a powerful and structured Pauillac, where ripe blackcurrant mingles with cedar, pencil lead and tobacco, carried by firm tannins and a long capacity for ageing.

Acquired by AXA Millésimes in 1987, the estate returned to the summit from the late 1980s: the 1990 ranks among the greatest successes in its history. This pursuit of excellence continues in recent years, as demonstrated by the 2016 vintage, already regarded as one of the contemporary peaks of the estate.

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Vintage Guide

Vintage Guide

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Pauillac Appellation

Pauillac Appellation
Second Classified Growths of the Médoc

Second Classified Growths of the Médoc

Bordeaux Region

Bordeaux Region

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The F.A.Q

What distinguishes Château Pichon Longueville Baron from the other crus of Pauillac?

Located on a gravelly terroir adjacent to Latour, in the south of Pauillac, Pichon Baron is a deuxième cru classé of 1855 whose quality has been spectacularly improved since its acquisition by AXA Millésimes in 1987. Its grand vin, dominated by cabernet sauvignon, is recognised by its depth, its firm structure and its aromas of blackcurrant, cedar and tobacco, in the style of the great age-worthy Pauillacs.

Which vintages of Pichon Baron should you look for?

The great successes of the late 1980s, notably 1989 and 1990, marked the renaissance of the estate and remain highly sought after. The 1982 stands as a classic, while the vintages of the 2000s and 2010s confirm the consistency of the cru. To choose, one should distinguish between the great years of very long ageing potential, to be left to mature, and the intermediate years, which can be enjoyed earlier.

How long can a bottle of Pichon Longueville Baron be kept?

A great vintage can easily be kept for two to three decades, and the finest years surpass forty years in good cellar conditions. Young, the wine benefits from being decanted for one to two hours; with age, it develops notes of leather, truffle and undergrowth. Served at around 17 °C, it pairs well with red meats, lamb and game.

From origins to renaissance: the history of Château Pichon Longueville Baron

The history of Pichon Baron has its roots in the late 17th century, when Jacques de Pichon, Baron de Longueville, assembled a vineyard at Pauillac whose reputation was quickly established. In 1850, the great family estate was divided in two: on one side Pichon Baron was born, on the other Pichon Comtesse, two neighbouring crus that would both be classified as Second Cru Classé in the 1855 classification. It was in 1851 that Raoul de Pichon-Longueville had the current château built, recognisable by its two pointed towers that give it the silhouette of a fairy-tale castle. Remaining in the family until 1933, then passing into the hands of the Bouteiller family, the estate went through quieter decades before changing scale in 1987: the AXA Millésimes group acquired it and immediately embarked on a complete renovation of the vineyard and cellars. Led by Jean-Michel Cazes until 2000, then by Christian Seely, long supported by technical director Jean-René Matignon, the estate reclaimed its place among the Médoc elite within just a few years.

The gravel terroir of Pichon Baron, in the south of Pauillac

The vineyard extends over approximately 73 hectares in the south of Pauillac, on a gravel plateau considered among the most reputed in the appellation, directly adjacent to that of Château Latour. The soil, composed of gravel and pebbles accumulated over millennia, plays a decisive role: it drains rainwater, stores the warmth of the day to release it at night, and forces the vine to push its roots deep in search of nutrients. This poor, well-exposed terroir is ideally suited to cabernet sauvignon, a late-ripening variety that requires sunshine to ripen fully. The proximity of the Gironde estuary moderates the climate and protects the vines from frost as well as excessive heat. Since the 2000s, the estate has reserved its grand vin for a tightly selected range of its finest parcels, ensuring concentration and consistency from one year to the next.

Cabernet sauvignon and the grand vin: the style of Pichon Baron wines

The grand vin of Pichon Baron is centred on cabernet sauvignon, complemented by merlot for roundness and touches of cabernet franc and petit verdot. The grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted, then vinified parcel by parcel before ageing for approximately eighteen months in oak barrels, a good proportion of which are new. The result is a characterful Pauillac: deep in colour, it unfolds aromas of blackcurrant and ripe dark fruits, lifted by cedar, graphite — the famous "pencil lead" note of great Pauillacs — tobacco and spice. In its youth, the wine is powerful and tightly wound, underpinned by firm tannins; with time, it softens and develops notes of leather, truffle and undergrowth that give older bottles their particular charm. At the table, it partners beautifully with red meat, rack of lamb or game birds, served at around 17 °C after one to two hours of decanting.

Ageing potential and recognition of Pichon Longueville Baron vintages

A great Pichon Baron can be kept comfortably for two to three decades, with the finest years ageing effortlessly beyond forty. Young, it demands patience: its tannins need time to integrate and its bouquet to open fully. The renaissance of the estate under AXA Millésimes made itself felt from the late 1980s, with a series of vintages that captured attention and reminded the wine world that the domaine could compete with the very best in Pauillac. Since then, consistently high performance has earned the château constant international critical recognition and a place among the benchmark references of the appellation. For the enthusiast, the key is to distinguish the great years built for very long ageing, to be left to mature in the cellar, from the intermediate vintages that can be enjoyed sooner.

Pichon Baron at the heart of Pauillac: Latour, Pichon Comtesse and neighbours

Located at the southern tip of Pauillac, Pichon Baron sits in prestigious company. Across the road stands Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the other half of the original estate, often displaying a silkier style with a stronger merlot influence. Close by, Château Latour embodies the extreme power and ageing potential of the appellation. A little further north, Château Lynch-Bages offers a generous and expressive interpretation of cabernet, while Château Pontet-Canet has distinguished itself through its conversion to biodynamics. Placing Pichon Baron among these estates illuminates its character: that of a great Pauillac built for ageing, structured yet refined, which contributes fully to the worldwide renown of the appellation and, more broadly, of the great wines of Bordeaux.

Les Tourelles de Longueville and Les Griffons: the second wines of Pichon Baron

The estate does not produce just a single wine. Since the mid-1980s, it has made a second wine, Les Tourelles de Longueville, sourced from younger parcels and intended to be enjoyed earlier, in a supple and fruity style. From the 2012 vintage, a complementary cru was born, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, a fuller-bodied blend in which cabernet sauvignon and merlot share centre stage. These two cuvées offer an accessible introduction to the château's style, while reserving for the grand vin the quintessence of the oldest vines from the historic terroir.

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