Château Pichon Baron 2015

Of superb pedigree, density and length, with tannins of great class; remarkably harmonious, not focused on extraction but on pedigree, harmony and freshness.

A juicy, well-knit style, with energetic plum and black currant compote notes studded with anise and black tea accents. Has a muscular edge through the finish, with brambly grip holding sway for now. There's more than enough fruit to put this away for a bit. Best from 2022 through 2035. 14,833 cases made.

Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.

Blackberries, sweet tobacco, incense and currants. Aromatic. Medium to full body and firm, sleek tannins. Racy and refined. Shows lovely balance and finesse. Pretty now, but needs another three or four years of bottle age. Try from 2023. Reviewed in Hong Kong Chinese Wine Tasting July 2020.

A dramatic, sweeping wine, Pichon Baron is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. The 2015 is dense, plush and totally voluptuous as it sweeps across the palate to make its presence known. Nuanced and poised, with seemingly endless layers of nuance, the 2015 is super-impressive. A melange of dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, mint, spice and rose petal builds as this towering, dramatic Pauillac shows off its allure. In 2015, Pichon Baron is endowed with spectacular balance and class. This is quite simply a brilliant showing from the 2015.

Still deeply colored, the wine is loaded with seemingly endless layers of supple-textured, creamy, vibrant blackberries, currants, and black plums. All of this is complicated by cigar box, wet earth, cedar, tobacco, herbs, and pepper. Full-bodied, rich, dense, concentrated, lively, and balanced, the wine fills your palate with layers of perfectly ripe dark red and black fruits. Drink from 2028–2060.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections and subtle rim brightening. Intense blackberry, nuances of oak and hints of sweet cherry. On the palate, tight-knit with vivid ripe tannins that give good structure, fresh acidity and a mineral touch. Nougat notes in the long finish. Developing well with definite further ageing potential.

Reminding me of the 1990, the 2015 Château Pichon Baron is a sensational bottle of wine made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot that spent 18 months in 80% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple color as well as awesome notes of black raspberries, toasted spices, cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and building minerality, this full-bodied, concentrated 2015 has sweet tannin, a great texture, and a big, big finish. Pauillac all the way, with both opulence and finesse, forget bottles of 4-5 years and enjoy anytime over the following two to three decades. This is a match for the 2009, 2000, and 1990.

The character of Pichon is very much intact here: bitter dark chocolate, cassis, firm tannins, structured and muscular, orange peel, crayon, cocoa bean, and juicy cassis and pomegranate fruit. Great quality, on the verge of being ready to drink. 80% new oak. Jean-René Matignon, technical director. It has grown into its frame over the past few years.

A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot, the 2015 Pichon Baron is deep garnet in color. It comes bounding out of the glass with eager-to-please scents of black cherry compote, blueberry pie, and crème de cassis, plus fragrant nuances of sandalwood, Chinese five-spice, and dried roses. The medium-bodied palate offers wonderfully expressive notes of black and red berry preserves accented by exotic spices and supported by plush tannins, finishing with great freshness and opulence.

As complete and refined as ever, a wine of great style and breadth, worth waiting for.

Here is a magical wine with superb texture and commanding power. Such breadth, such power, such endless persistence. It has it all—it’s set for eternity!

What intensity and complexity in this bouquet! It shows many facets and reveals floral, fruity and spicy notes. Aromas of iris and Sichuan pepper. The ageing is also present, discreetly, supporting the aromatic expression. On the palate, the wine is powerful, compact and elegant. This is the very nature of a great wine, when it can create a symbiosis between strength and delicacy. A convincing, seductive wine, with character and the potential worthy of the greatest successes.

A deeply colored wine with an intense, delicate, fruity, ripe and creamy nose. The palate already caresses with a velvety texture, very fruity, flavorful and flattering at this stage. Very good length with refined tannins.