Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020

The Typicity of a Second Wine from Pauillac

The Estate

2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the Château Pichon Baron belongs to the elite of the Grands Crus of Pauillac, on the left bank of Bordeaux.

The Vineyard

A true mosaic of terroirs and superbly located near the Gironde estuary, the vineyard of Château Pichon Baron extends over 73 hectares of vines planted on perfectly drained Médoc gravel soils. The oldest vines of the estate are used in the making of this emblematic wine of the Pauillac appellation.

The Second Wine of Château Pichon Baron, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020, is made from 25% of the estate's vineyard.

The Vintage

An historically rainy winter precedes a tropical spring. These conditions require extreme vigilance from the teams to protect the vineyard from mildew and manage the soils. The milder climate recorded subsequently promotes flowering two weeks ahead of schedule. From the end of June, a dry and cool weather sets in, followed by hot and dry summer conditions. The stormy episodes in mid-August are beneficial for the vineyard and the ripening. The harvested grapes are tannic, colored, with acidity and degrees generally without excess.

Vinification and Aging

Parcel and intra-parcel selection. Manual then optical sorting. Early addition of natural yeast to protect the harvest by bio-protection. Active work of the vats at the beginning of maceration to promote skin extractions and limit seed tannins. Alcoholic fermentations triggered at temperatures of 25-30°C. Maceration of variable duration from 15 to 25 days. Malolactic fermentations are carried out in vats then followed by rapid barreling in separate batches on fine lees. 

The aging is for a period of 18 months in barrels (50% new, 50% barrels of one wine).

Blend

Château Pichon Baron 2020 is a blend of merlot (50%), cabernet sauvignon (42%) and petit verdot (8%).