Château Pichon Baron Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac, has belonged to AXA Millésimes since 1987. AXA Millésimes owns several other prestigious vineyards: Château Suduiraut in Sauternes, Château Pibran in Pauillac, Domaine de l’Arlot in Nuits Saint Georges, Quinta do Noval in the Douro Valley (Portugal), Disznókö in Tokaj (Hungary) and Outpost in Napa Valley.

The Pauillac terroir
Château Pichon Baron is in the south of Pauillac, a Médoc appellation located approximately 40 kilometres to the north of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde River. The land, which features quaternary gravel deposits and the large pebbles and sand which are typical of the appellation, is a winemaking paradise. The subsoil composition allows the retention of water to feed the roots, while the undulating relief of the gravel soils is ideal for drainage. This exceptional terroir has a maritime climate; its proximity to the Gironde estuary lends it an increased mildness. All the right conditions come together to make the Pauillac appellation the most prestigious of Bordeaux wines.

An exceptional legacy
The Pichon Baron estate comprises 73 hectares of high quality gravelly soil. Low in nutrients and with little excess water, this unique soil sparingly nourishes the vines, whose average age is 35 years. The estate is actively committed to protecting the environment to safeguard this exceptional legacy for future generations. The Pichon Baron team is dedicated to producing consistently exceptional wines that are faithful to the spirit of this great terroir. A very strict selection from the older vines on the noblest soils is reserved for the production of Château Pichon Baron, the Grand Vin of the property, of which the number of bottles is limited in order to produce only the best.

A mosaic of vineyard
Pichon Baron’s vineyard is planted as follows: 65% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, and is meticulously divided into separate plots. Each plot receives specific care and attention adapted to its particular profile. The terroir’s best land – the “Butte de Pichon Baron” – is devoted entirely to the production of the Grand Vin, making up the majority of the blend. It is among the estate’s historic plots; it was already in use in 1694, when the wine was first produced. Pichon Baron also produces two second wines, from other parcels of its vineyard: Les Tourelles de Longueville and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron.

Care of the vineyard
At Château Pichon Baron, winegrowing is painstaking and traditional with the continuous aim of improving quality and mastering yields. Pichon Baron’s planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare. Yield per plot is limited according to age and varietal. Harvesting is done exclusively by hand to bring the grapes to the winery in the best possible condition. Bunches are selected by varietal, vine age and plot. This selection process is of vital importance. It requires a well-trained staff, able to discern the different stages of maturity in the vineyard.

The winemaking process
Upon arrival at the winemaking facilities, the grapes are placed in vats. Vinification is a key stage which continues the winegrower’s work and reveals the wine’s individual characteristics. Vinification comprises a complex maceration process of grape skins and pulp. Fermentation transforms the sugars into alcohol, breaking down the tannins and colours, and drawing out the wine’s aromatic components. Maturation lasts between three and four weeks. A wine’s success depends on the monitoring of the process – on a daily basis – for each vat. When the wine’s malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine reaches a natural state of equilibrium. The vats are emptied and select portions of the wine are put into barrels. The wine is aged in barrels in the semi-darkness of the cellars. It is racked every three to four months, using the traditional candle method, to separate the wine from the lees.

The blending
Parcel selection produces a remarkably diverse range of wine profiles. It is this variety that gives the final blends their richness and sophistication. To produce a successful blend, over 40 different wines are tasted in a series of strictly-controlled sessions. Blending is a highly complex procedure which changes from one year to the next, giving each vintage its distinctive character. Upon removal from the vats, the best batches are set aside to make Château Pichon Baron’s Grand Vin. Most are initially aged in new barrels made from the finest French oak. Three months later they are tasted again, and the final blend is assembled. They are then blended in late February or early March of the year following the harvest. The wine slowly adjusts during barrel ageing, which lasts for 18 to 20 months.

Grand Vin: Château Pichon Baron Grand Cru Classé

Our Grand Vin Château Pichon Baron 2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855 comes from the very oldest vines grown on the historic plots of the estate. This authentic Pauillac offers an amazing sensory experience with its black fruit flavours and spicy hints. Château Pichon Baron shows great elegance, intensity and exceptional length on the palate. It is a wine that improves year after year and can age for over 40 years in the cellar.

Second Wine: Les Tourelles de Longueville

Named after the turrets that embellish the château, our wine Les Tourelles de Longueville, embodies the charm of the estate. The grapes that are used to blend the wine come essentially from the Sainte Anne plot, planted mainly to Merlot, giving to it a distinctive personality. Les Tourelles de Longueville is an invitation to enter a world of flavour, charm, roundness and sensual delight. This wine provides an introduction to the spirit of Pichon Baron and can be enjoyed young or aged in the cellar for 15 years or more.

Second Wine: Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is the estate’s latest addition. This wine has a pure and direct character. The grapes which make up this wine’s blend come primarily from gravelly plots of land near the Gironde estuary, a good environment for Cabernet-Sauvignon. Les Griffons offers a vigorous and fresh tasting experience, full-bodied and clean, overflowing with energy. It can be laid down in the cellar for over 20 years or enjoyed right away.

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