Château Pichon Baron 2024

The refinement and structure of a Second Grand Cru Classé from Pauillac

The estate

Founded in 1694 in Pauillac, the Château Pichon Baron has been a Second Grand Cru Classé since 1855. Now under the management of AXA Millésimes, the estate experienced a qualitative renaissance after its acquisition in 1987. The wine, a classic blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, is renowned for its elegance and exceptional ageing potential.

The vineyard

The Grand Vin de Château Pichon Baron is produced from the oldest vines in the historic terroir of Pauillac. These plots benefit from deep gravelly soil offering optimal drainage, an essential characteristic of the great Médoc terroirs. This privileged location, close to the Gironde estuary, provides the grapes with optimal ripeness while preserving their freshness, a fundamental element for the wine’s balance.

The vintage

The mild and very wet winter (900 mm by late March) was followed by an early budburst in early April. The cool, rainy spring gave way to uneven flowering in June, marked by coulure and millerandage, as well as strong downy mildew pressure. July and August proved hot and very dry, with a slow véraison beginning at the end of July. Late August offered favourable conditions for maturation, whereas September saw a slowdown due to poor weather conditions, despite high levels of ripeness.

Vinification and aging

Meticulous selection in the vineyards and cellar to retain only healthy, perfectly ripe berries. Vinification was carried out with gravity transfer, light sulphitation with yeast-based bioprotection, and inoculation with indigenous yeasts. Low-temperature fermentations and gentle extractions through light pump-overs and delestage preserved the aromatic finesse. The aging continues for 18 months in barrels, 70% new and 30% one-wine.

Blend

The blend of Château Pichon Baron 2024 is composed predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), complemented by Merlot (13%).