Description
Château Pichon Longueville features among the top Bordeaux wines and was ranked as a Deuxième Cru in the historic 1855 classification.

History of the estate
The history of the Pichon family goes back to the Middle Ages. Since then, numerous family members have played a role in the history of Bordeaux. In 1964, Jacques de Pichon, Baron of Longueville, married the daughter of Pierre de Rauzan, who created the estate. Their descendants were thereafter much involved with the Pauillac property. Raoul de Pichon-Longueville built the current Château in 1851. His family lived there until 1933. In 1987, AXA-Millésimes purchased the property from the Bouteiller family, then entirely restored the property, under the management of Jean-Michel Cazes. The château, an imposing Renaissance-style mansion with spiky corner turrets, was thoroughly restored and furnished in an appropriate mid-nineteenth century style. In 1989, an architectural competition for the construction of modern viticultural buildings was organised in collaboration with the George Pompidou Centre in Paris. Today Pichon Baron is world-acclaimed as one of Pauillac’s leading estates.

Terroir
The Pichon Baron estate’s 73 hectares of very high-quality gravelly soil overlook the Latour vineyard. This exceptional land, poor in nutrients and with little excess water, nourishes the old vines sparingly so that grapes are produced in small quantities but are of supreme quality. This is a terroir that can produce the most remarkable wines; the estate has striven to do so with constancy and excellence in line with this vineyard’s early history. The Pichon Baron estate team are highly involved in their work. They devote their unswerving commitment and values of excellence and consistency to crafting wines which are ranked amongst the world’s finest. Pichon Baron’s vineyard is planted 62% to Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% to Merlot, 4% to Cabernet Franc and 2% to Petit Verdot, and has been meticulously divided into separate plots. With consummate craftsmanship each plot receives specific care and attention adapted to its particular profile (soil quality and vine age and variety).

Area: 73 ha
Grape varieties:
62% Cabernet-sauvignon
32% Merlot
4% Cabernet franc
2% Petit Verdot

Alcohol 14.5%

Vinification
Plot-by-plot and intra-plot selection are the foundation of our approach. This year, sorting ensured consistent vatting quality. The temperature increase was gradual in order to favour extraction. Alcoholic fermentation soon started at a moderate rate, enabling progressive extraction during the fermenting phase to suit each variety and each terroir. Temperatures were kept at 25 to 29°C.

Ageing
80% in new barrels 20% from barrels of one vintage, for 18 months

Blending
78% Cabernet-sauvignon
22% Merlot

Tasting note
Château Pichon Baron 2018 reveals a dark garnet colour. The precise and delicate nose offers notes of fresh fruit, black berries and spices. The attack is mellow, generous, rounded and juicy, developing powerful, well-blended tannins. The body is structured with silky, racy tannins. The flavour is carried by the structure, which preserves the midpalate. The finish is tasty, full, fleshy, and harmonious. The richness is perfectly integrated, and the style is highly characteristic, built to last through the decades, while retaining elegance and distinction.”