Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2024

An exceptional second wine from Pauillac

The property

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

The vineyard
Located a stone's throw from the Gironde estuary, the Château Pichon Baron vineyard benefits from an exceptional location and a remarkable diversity of terroirs within the Pauillac appellation. Over 73 hectares, the vines take root in naturally drained Médoc gravel soils, ideal for precision viticulture.

The wine
Created with the 2012 vintage, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron embodies the Second Wine of Château Pichon Baron.

The vintage

The mild and very wet winter accumulated 900 mm of precipitation until the end of March. The early bud break in early April was followed by a cool and rainy spring. The heterogeneous flowering in June led to shatter and millerandage, with the presence of mildew. The hot and very dry summer slowed down the veraison that began at the end of July, but the end of August offered favorable conditions for maturation. September saw a late maturation slowed down by unfavorable weather conditions, but the grapes reached excellent levels of maturity.

Vinification and aging

Careful selection in the vineyards and in the vat room to retain only healthy and perfectly ripe berries. The vinification took place with gravity loading, light sulfiting with yeast-based bioprotection, and seeding with indigenous yeasts. Low-temperature fermentations and gentle extractions by light pumping over and racking preserved the aromatic finesse. The aging continues for 15 months, 50% in new barrels and 50% in barrels of one wine.

Blend

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2024 is the result of a blend of 56% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon, and 2% cabernet franc.