Among the icons of the Left Bank, the Château Pichon Baron de Longueville 2023 exemplifies the exacting standards of a great Pauillac, where power serves elegance. From the estate's historic terroir and renowned for its selection of mature vines, this vintage is aimed at enthusiasts seeking a deep, structured and luminous red, capable of moving you today with careful decanting as well as of unfurling gracefully over decades. Its style, of exemplary straightness, combines aromatic precision, a velvety texture and contained freshness, delivering a tasting experience that celebrates classic Bordeaux craft. Here, every detail tells of patient work and the accuracy of an ageing regime that enhances the fruit without weighing it down. This 2023 stands out with a highly defined nose, a palate built on polished tannins and a streamlined, long and vibrant finish. A wine of character, perfectly at home on an exceptional table, while offering the reassurance of very fine cellaring potential.

Blend and winemaking

Pichon Baron's style is based on a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Merlot, a combination that provides structure, backbone and a nuanced aromatic framework. Ageing is carried out for about 18 months in barrels, with a proportion of around 70 % new oak, in order to refine the tannins, add complexity and depth, without ever overwhelming the fruit's expression. This precision work achieves a silky texture, a harmonious palate dynamic and integrated oak from youth. The alcohol level is indicative, around 13 to 14 % vol., reflecting a sought-after balance between concentration and freshness. The result is a wine that embraces its stature as a great Pauillac, built to age, yet already accessible to those who favour purity and tension.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Deep and luminous, it signals dense substance and great concentration, the hallmark of perfectly ripe fruit.
• Nose : Blackcurrant and dark fruits underscored by cigar leaf and graphite, lifted by floral touches of violet and iris. The whole presents with clarity and nobility, promising a bouquet to come.
• Palate : Straight attack, broad and structured mid-palate, polished tannins with a fine grain. The framework combines tension and depth, then stretches into a long, fresh and persistent finish edged with gentle spices and perfectly integrated oak.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this Pauillac at 16 to 18°C in large Bordeaux glasses to reveal its aromatic architecture. Decanting is recommended in the early years to promote the bouquet's opening and soften the tannins. For cellaring, favour a stable, dark and cool cellar, bottle laid on its side. The wine already shows fine harmony, but its potential will allow it to refine over more than 15 years, gaining in complexity and silkiness over time.

Food and wine pairings

• Grilled or roasted red meats : rib of beef, rack of lamb, pan-seared beef fillet.
• Game and fine poultry : venison, duck, wood pigeon, with blackberry sauce.
• Sauced dishes : reduced jus, truffle, mushrooms, caramelised root vegetables.
• Aged cheeses : old Comté, extra-mature Mimolette, Cantal « entre-deux ».
• Festive cuisine : crisp puff pastries, hearty jus, earthy and woodland flavour pairings.

Occasions to enjoy

The Château Pichon Baron de Longueville 2023 is at home on grand tables and for occasions that matter :

• To elevate a gourmet meal where the wine's precision highlights every flavour.
• As an exceptional gift for a discerning enthusiast or a demanding collector.
• For cellaring to mark a notable vintage and follow its evolution over two decades and beyond.

Characteristics

• Name : Château Pichon Baron de Longueville 2023
• Appellation : Pauillac AOC
• Classification : 2nd Grand Cru Classé 1855
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape varieties : majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot
• Alcohol content : indicative, around 13 to 14% vol.
• Ageing : about 18 months in barrels, of which around 70% new oak
• Cellaring : more than 15 years, very high potential
• Serving temperature : 16 to 18°C, decanting recommended in youth