Pichon Baron 2018 (6L)

94 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Pichon-Baron is matured for 18 months in 80% new oak. It has retained its quite extroverted, almost audacious bouquet featuring copious scents of blackberry, blueberry and mint, though I might contend that it still needs to show more Pichon Baron DNA. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins and firm grip, quite assertive and perhaps more austere than I expected in the mouth. Plenty of graphite here, much more than in barrel, and a foursquare finish. This 2018 Pichon-Baron will require 5–8 years in bottle because it is one of the more tannic Pauillacs of the vintage, but could also be one of the most rewarding for those with patience and a cool, damp cellar." 03/21

94-97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "Pichon Baron is exceptional in 2018. Pliant, silky and super-finessed, the 2018 has a level of textural finesse that really elevates the wine into Pauillac's upper echelon. Ripe fruit and silky tannins give the 2018 much of its inimitable finesse. At the same time, the 2018 is bright, punchy and surprisingly fresh, not to mention absolutely impeccable in its balance. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot, while new oak is 80%." 04/19

97 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Aromas of blackberry, dried blueberry, gravel, mocha and cigar box. Light fresh-herb undertone. It’s full-bodied with firm, ultra fine tannins and fresh acidity. Focused and minerally with a long finish. Great length. Very tight and restrained at the moment. Wait until at least 2026 to take a look." 01/21

97 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "A very polished and pure expression of Pauillac, but don't go to sleep on it. As charming and vibrant as the cassis, cherry preserve and blackberry paste flavors are, they have a latent saturated feel. And then there's a serious network of iron girders supporting it all, along with sweet tobacco, floral and worn cedar accents. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2030 through 2050. 13,300 cases made." 03/21

96-98 Points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast: "Offering big, powerful tannins, this wine shows an amazing density of immense black fruits. It has a rich structure that's allied with great acidity and a strongly spicy character. There is a wonderful juiciness at the end that gives it an impressive lift." 04/19

97 Points, Jane Ansen, Decanter: "Grilled cedar and attractive aromatics, with well-handled extraction giving confident but unmistakable oak impact. This is good-quality, showing gentle raspberry leaf aromatics on the opening, savoury cassis and bilberry, with pencil lead and crayon appearing along with the tannins as it stretches out through the palate. There was one week less of maceration than normal, so 21 days instead of 28, which will have helped control extractions. 86IPT." 11/20

97+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "A beautiful, majestic Pauillac that reminds me a little of the 2000, the 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron checks in as 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. It shows the estate's more pure Cabernet, focused, elegant style yet offers full-bodied richness and serious depth of fruit as well as awesome notes of crème de cassis, graphite, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, and wet stone-like minerality. With building tannins, a fresh, focused texture, and a great finish, it's not for those looking for instant gratification, and I suspect it will need a solid decade or more of cellaring, but it will evolve for 50 years or more. It's a profound 2018." 03/21