Chateau Pichon Baron Longueville 2016

Chateau Pichon Baron Longueville 2016 is a 750ml classified-growth Pauillac Bordeaux at 13.5% ABV, blending 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Merlot. Awarded a perfect 100 points by Decanter and ranked #8 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2019, this vintage stands as one of the most critically celebrated releases in the estate's modern era, also earning 99 points from James Suckling and 97 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France (Left Bank)  |  Second Grand Cru Classé (1855)  |  Distillery: Château Pichon Baron

Production & Heritage

Château Pichon Baron holds the rank of Second Grand Cru Classé under the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, one of the most prestigious designations in the wine world. The 2016 draws primarily from the Butte de Pichon Baron, an 86-acre historic vineyard plot that has been in use since the estate's founding, with deep gravel soils and exceptional drainage that define the finest sites in Pauillac. The blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot was aged in 80% new French oak barrels, resulting in a wine of remarkable structure and integration.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry, graphite, and menthol lead the initial bouquet, followed by deeper layers of truffle, tapenade, and rose hip tea. Pencil shavings, eucalyptus, and subtle baking spices emerge as the wine opens with extended decanting.

Taste: The entry is suave and seductive, with concentrated black currant and dark plum preserves coating the palate. Mid-palate reveals dark fig and mulberry compote flavors interwoven with sweet tobacco and singed alder notes. The tannin structure is firm yet polished, framing the fruit with Left Bank precision.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering graphite, licorice, and black pepper trailing into a fine-grained mineral resolve. The oak integration is seamless, leaving a signature Pauillac iron-and-cassis imprint that persists well over a minute.

How to Drink Pichon Baron 2016

Decant for at least 90 minutes before serving at 16–18°C (61–64°F) to allow the complex aromatic layers to fully unfold; a large Bordeaux glass concentrates the bouquet and directs fruit toward the center of the palate. While drinking beautifully now with proper decanting, the 2016 has the tannic architecture and acidity to age gracefully through 2045 and beyond. This is a wine that demands the spotlight — pair with rich, savory dishes rather than mixing into cocktails. Grilled rack of lamb highlights the herbal undertones. Seared beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction mirrors the dark fruit core. Roasted duck breast with cherry jus echoes the wine's primary fruit character.

Best For

• Cellaring for long-term aging through 2045 and beyond
• Marking a milestone anniversary or birth-year vintage
• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector or wine enthusiast
• Hosting a comparative Left Bank Pauillac tasting dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pichon Baron 2016 taste like? Concentrated black currant, dark plum, and fig flavors dominate, layered with graphite, sweet tobacco, and licorice over a firmly tannic structure. The finish lingers with iron minerality and cassis, characteristic of top Pauillac.

How does Pichon Baron 2016 compare to Smith Haut Lafitte 2016? Tasters have described the two wines as very comparable in quality, though they originate from different appellations — Pichon Baron from Pauillac and Smith Haut Lafitte from Pessac-Léognan. Pichon Baron leans more heavily on Cabernet Sauvignon with a more structured, tannic profile, while Smith Haut Lafitte generally positions at a lower price tier despite strong critical scores of its own.

Is Pichon Baron 2016 good for cellaring? With its firm tannin structure, balanced acidity, and concentrated fruit, this wine is built for long-term aging. Most critics suggest a drinking window extending through 2045 or longer.

Where is Pichon Baron made? Château Pichon Baron is located in the Pauillac appellation on Bordeaux's Left Bank, situated directly across from Château Latour and neighboring Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande. The estate is classified as a Second Grand Cru Classé under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

What foods pair well with Pichon Baron 2016? Grilled rack of lamb complements the wine's herbal undertones and tannic grip. Seared beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction mirrors its dark fruit intensity. Aged Comté or Gruyère provides a savory counterpoint to the tannin structure. Roasted duck breast with black cherry sauce echoes the core fruit. Dark chocolate truffles align with the graphite and licorice finish.

What sizes does Pichon Baron 2016 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though larger formats including magnums (1.5L) and double magnums (3L) are produced in limited quantities for the classified-growth market.

Is Pichon Baron 2016 worth the price? Positioned in the premium tier of classified Bordeaux, the 2016 justifies its placement with a perfect 100 from Decanter, 99 from James Suckling, and inclusion in Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2019 — a breadth of critical consensus that few wines in any vintage achieve.

Why Pichon Baron 2016?

The 2016 vintage earned the rare distinction of a perfect 100-point score from Decanter, accompanied by 99 from James Suckling, 97 from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, 97 from Wine Enthusiast, and 96 from Wine Spectator — which ranked it #8 on their Top 100 of 2019. Sourced primarily from the historic Butte de Pichon Baron, the original 86-acre vineyard plot, and aged in 80% new French oak, this is a Pauillac of uncommon depth and structural precision. Among Second Growth Bordeaux from the celebrated 2016 vintage, few received this breadth of near-unanimous critical acclaim, making it a benchmark for the appellation and a compelling candidate for serious cellars.