The 2018 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Pichon-Longueville Baron estate located in the Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, sealed with a traditional cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14.5%, offers a nuanced palette reflective of its esteemed origins.

The composition of this wine is nearly an even split between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, a balance that has been noted favorably in several reviews. Jeb Dunnuck, giving it a score of 93, highlights the blend's success, stating, "It was a great vintage for the Merlot in this cuvée." He describes the wine as "deeply colored, with a rocking bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil, black cherries, earth, and flowers." Dunnuck further praises its "finesse-driven and structured" nature, noting its "straight, focused, yet still layered and ripe personality."

James Suckling also offers a high score of 92, appreciating the wine's aromatic profile and structure. His tasting note mentions "blackberry, plum, cocoa and gravel aromas" and describes the wine as "medium-to full-bodied with firm, fine tannins framing a solid core of spiced black fruit." He anticipates that the wine will be even more enjoyable from 2024 onwards, emphasizing its "tight, mineral finish" and overall balance.

The Wine Advocate's Lisa Perrotti-Brown gives the wine a respectable score of 91, noting its "wonderfully pure cassis and ripe black plums notes," complemented by "hints of clove oil, chocolate-covered cherries, and tobacco leaf." She observes that the wine "delivers a firm, rugged texture and soft acidity," finishing on a "savory note."

Decanter offers a slightly more reserved score of 90, describing the wine as featuring "gentle redcurrant, raspberry and soft woodsmoke." The review notes the "bushed tannins" and the "characteristic Pauillac bite on the finish," indicating a less closed-off feel compared to other wines from the region.

Jeff Leve, from The Wine Cellar Insider, also rates the wine highly (93 points), pointing out its "strong floral character" and the balance achieved between the tannic bite of Cabernet Sauvignon and the roundness from the Merlot. He notes that the wine, which will age in 60% new French oak barrels, is "graceful, agile, and fresh."

Overall, the 2018 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is lauded for its balanced blend, firm structure, and complex aromatic profile, making it a notable offering from the Pichon-Longueville Baron estate.