Tasting Notes
Neal Martin 93
The 1995 Pichon Baron was an ex-château bottle that had been reconditioned at the estate. This has a beautiful bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and mint, the latter becoming prominent with aeration. A friend mentioned rooibos tea and I immediately clock that scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and slightly ferrous in style. I have to say that this bottle is superior to previous ones, more vigorous with greater weight and less evolution towards the finish. Quite sweet on the aftertaste, it is simply, banally, just delicious. Drinking perfectly now. Tasted at the 1995 Bordeaux off-line at Piccolino in London.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2038
Vinous 89
Good red-ruby color. Black cherry, beefsteak tomato and licorice scents are currently dominated by nutty, cedary oak; less nuanced than the ’96, even allowing for the bottling. Sweet entry, then good intensity of flavor, with the cassis fruit complicated by the nutty note. A bit four-square compared to the ’96, yet not as dense or refined. Substantial tannins are in balance with the wine.
Wine Advocate 94
Tasted at the London Pichon-Baron off-line. Tasted single blind, this has a deep garnet core. The nose has wonderful lift with blackberry, cassis, espresso and fireside hearth. Great definition although there is still just a little oak to be subsumed. The palate has very good weight and concentration, firm tannins, pure blackberry, kirsch and perhaps just a faint touch of VA that just lends the finish a sense of sensuality and decadence. Superb. Drink 2010-2025. Tasted May 2009.
Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025
