2009 Ch. Pichon-Longueville-Baron Pauillac

The 2009 Pichon-Baron just exudes gorgeous ripe, damson and mulberry fruit which blends seamlessly with the fantastic silky, supple, fine-grained tannins. The wonderful thing about this wine is its sense of coolness, incredible given that the blend comprises 33% Merlot which was often very hot in 2009 (the remainder being 67% Cabernet Sauvignon). Christian Seely attributes this to the wonderful terroir of the best Merlot plots around the château, the ones right next to Ch. Latour. This is elegance personified; a truly great wine.

Black red, big, smoky rich and exotic nose, lots of depth, robust vineyard structure and powerful yet harmonious length, all vigourous potential.
(Steven Spurrier - Decanter - Apr 2010)

3 hl/ha, older vines. Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot – they say Merlot quality in 09 was very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. IPT (total polyphenol index) 88, TA 3.4 g/l. One of the most concentrated vintages ever – from fruit not extraction. Very very dark crimson. Very mineral and grown up. Lovely lift and great, polished tannins. Very fresh and fine tannins with density and lift on the finish. Very sophisticated. Lots of mass. Remjnds me a little of their 1990, though the yields were very much lower in 2009. Very glossy and confident. Very sophisticated.
(Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com - Apr 2010)

Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - February 2012)

Loads of currant and blackberry, with mineral and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with ultrafine, very long tannins. Really builds on the palate. A racy style, with excellent length.
(James Suckling - Wine Spectator - March 2010)