The 2012 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a Bordeaux blend predominantly composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, hailing from the Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine has garnered significant attention from critics and is noted for its classic style and aging potential.
Neal Martin from *Vinous* describes the wine as having "a fragrant bouquet with well-defined black fruit, cedar and subtle sous-bois aromas," and praises its medium-bodied structure with "grainy tannins, fine acidity, good weight and body" (Neal Martin, *Vinous*, 9/27/2022). He awarded it a score of 94 points, emphasizing its well-proportioned finish and classy nature.
The *Connoisseurs' Guide* also highly regards this vintage, describing it as "deeply drawn" with "more than enough concentration and fruity depth" to maintain its reputation. The review highlights its balance and poise, noting that the wine will "continue to fascinate for decades down the line" (Connoisseurs' Guide, 6/1/2015), giving it a solid score of 93.
Robert Parker's *Wine Advocate* echoes these sentiments, highlighting the wine's "most saturated purple color of the Pauillacs" and its rich composition of "blackcurrant fruit interwoven with licorice, graphite, and background toasty oak." Parker describes it as "full-bodied, opulent and moderately tannic," with low acidity making it approachable now, but with a promise to age beautifully for over 20 years (Robert Parker, *Wine Advocate*, 4/1/2015). This review also scored the wine at 93 points.
*James Suckling* offers another excellent review, highlighting the wine's "pretty core of ripe-berry, currant and mineral character" and applauding its "full body, silky tannins and fresh finish" (James Suckling, 2/11/2015). He awarded the wine 94 points, noting that it will be better enjoyed from 2017 onwards.
*Wine Enthusiast* provided the highest score of 95 points for this vintage, describing it as "densely ripe" with "black fruits, smoky wood and generous tannins." The review suggests that while it is drinkable in the medium term, it is built to age well (Wine Enthusiast, 4/1/2013).
Overall, the 2012 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a highly regarded Bordeaux blend with a bouquet of black fruits, cedar, and sous-bois, and a well-balanced palate with grainy tannins and fine acidity. Its ability to age gracefully makes it a wine worth cellaring for future enjoyment.