The 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by Pichon-Longueville Baron, comes highly recommended by several professional reviewers, boasting an impressive range of scores from 96 to 99 points.
James Suckling gave it a near-perfect score of 99, praising its "incredibly alluring, ripe and expansive fruit aromas" which include blackberry, dark cherry, mulberry, and plum. He notes additional complexity from espresso, cedar, and a "slate-like, stony mineral edge." Suckling describes the palate as having "incredible depth, drive and detail," with fine and plush tannins that stretch the palate in every direction. He confidently states, "this is the greatest Pichon Baron since 1989" and predicts it will have a long future, recommending it be tried from 2024.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 97, describes the wine as "deep garnet-purple colored" with a "suave and seductive nose" featuring warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade, and rose hip tea. The review highlights the wine's "medium to full-bodied" structure and its "compelling herbal sparks" on a very long finish.
Wine Enthusiast also awarded the wine 97 points, emphasizing its "opulent richness and an elegant structure." The review highlights the wine's boldness, ripe black fruits, and its impressive balance, predicting it will age well and be best enjoyed from 2025.
Jeff Leve, another top reviewer, aligns with Suckling in giving the wine 99 points. He calls it "concentrated, full-bodied, rich, multi-layered, and multi-faceted," noting waves of ripe, dark, red fruits and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. He advises patience, suggesting a wait of 10-15 years before opening.
Vinous gave the wine 96 points, noting its "stunning bouquet of intense blackberry, cedar, and graphite aromas." The palate is described as medium-bodied with slightly tarry black fruit, cedar, and truffle, finishing with a saline, peppery note.
Jeb Dunnuck, awarding a score of 97, describes the wine as a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, aged in 80% new French oak. He characterizes it as "full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant," with sweet tannins and a texture that coats the palate. Dunnuck predicts it will be relatively approachable in 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.
Jane Anson and The Wine Independent both give the wine 98 points, highlighting its exceptional expression of Cabernet and its deep garnet-purple color. Both reviews emphasize the wine's layers of black fruits, minerals, and concentrated tannins, predicting a brilliant future.
In summary, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux blend that showcases a harmonious balance of ripe fruits, complex aromatics, and a robust structure that promises excellent aging potential.