CHATEAU PICHON-LONGUEVILLE au Baron de Pichon-Longueville 2eme Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac 2008 Bottle

Description

The 2008 Château Pichon-Baron has garnered exceptional acclaim, earning 95 points from Vinous for its impressive bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, minerals, and graphite, with oak superbly integrated. Neal Martin described the medium-bodied palate as having fine-grained tannins, delivering tension and energy, finished with a bright and lively character, reflecting subtle Pauillac austerity. The Wine Advocate also awarded it 95 points, calling it one of the densest and most concentrated wines of Pauillac in 2008, featuring aromas of crème de cassis, charcoal, and licorice. Decanter praised it with 95 points, noting its full-bodied nature, balanced flavours of graphite, dark plum, and coffee, with structured, fine tannins. James Suckling rated it 94 points for its bright fruit character and silky tannins, highlighting its immediate appeal.

*****

Château Pichon Longueville Baron is a prestigious wine estate situated in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, classified as a 2ème Grand Cru Classé. Established in the 18th century, the estate covers around 73 hectares, primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Known for its powerful and structured wines, Château Pichon Longueville Baron showcases deep fruit flavours, rich tannins, and remarkable aging potential, often exhibiting notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and spice. The estate’s exceptional terroir, characterised by gravelly soils, enhances the complexity of its wines. With a commitment to quality and consistent high scores from critics, Château Pichon Longueville Baron remains a highly sought-after choice for collectors and connoisseurs of fine Bordeaux wines.

VINOUS 95 points
The 2008 Pichon-Baron has a much better bouquet than the 2007 (as you would expect), replete with blackberry, blueberry, minerals and graphite that are all very well defined and focused. The oak here is superbly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, and full of tension and energy. It builds nicely in the mouth, delivering real brightness and vivacity on the finish but retaining that sense of subtle Pauillac austerity. In many ways this is quintessential Pichon-Baron and one of the overachievers in recent years. It comes highly recommended. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château. - Neal Martin

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A sleeper of the vintage, the 2008 Pichon Longueville Baron is one of the densest, most concentrated wines of Pauillac in 2008. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, blackberries, charcoal, coffee and licorice. Exceptionally full-bodied with velvety tannins and undeniable appeal, this gorgeous, well-proportioned, larger than life 2008 should age effortlessly for two decades or more. With the realistic pricing that remains for many 2008s, this is a no-brainer.
Published: May 02, 2011

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
(at BI, London, 01 Jan 2018)
Part of How Bordeaux 2008 wines taste now: 70 top names rated
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2042
As you would expect, this turns up the bass on its neighbour. It's a full-throttle display with a powerful dark undertow, approaching peak-Pauillac. It is wonderfully balanced, with flavours of graphite, dark plum, coffee and grilled rosemary, and the tannins are so well structured, fine and layered. It's a great wine in an average year, showing its pedigree and easily among the best in the appellation in 2008.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Wow. So much bright fruit in this with orange peel and black currant character. Floral and lively. Full body, silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Hard not to drink now. Do it.