Location and Terroir
Château Pichon Baron is located in Pauillac in the Médoc on the left bank of the Gironde, around 40 kilometres north of Bordeaux in France. The maritime climate is tempered by the proximity to the Gironde estuary. The 92-hectare estate is characterised by gravelly soils that contain large pebbles and sand. The gravelly elevations promote natural drainage, while the subsoil stores water for the vines.
Vineyards and Grape Varieties
The vines are on average 35 years old. For the Grand Vin Château Pichon Baron, older vines from the best soils are selected; the historic Butte de Pichon Baron is entirely devoted to this wine and forms the largest part of its cuvée. Viticulture is carried out parcel by parcel, with yield control by grape variety and growing block. Planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare, and the grapes are picked by hand. The vineyard comprises 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Sémillon.
History and Classification
The origins of the estate go back to 1684, when Pierre des Mesures de Rauzan purchased vineyards. Through the marriage of Jacques François de Pichon Longueville and Thérèse des Mesures de Rauzan, they were integrated into the family estate of Pichon Longueville in 1694. After the division of the property in 1850, Raoul de Pichon Longueville’s share became Château Pichon Baron. The château, with its two distinctive towers, was built in 1851. In 1933 the estate passed to the Bouteiller family, and in 1987 it was acquired by AXA Millésimes. Château Pichon Baron is classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification and is assigned to the Pauillac appellation.
Winemaking and Wines
The wines are macerated and fermented in vats, with each unit monitored daily. This is followed by biological acid breakdown, maturation in barrels and the traditional racking process using the candle method at intervals of three to four months. At Château Pichon Baron 2023, the élevage lasted 18 months; 70% matured in new barrels and 30% in one-year-old barrels. The vintage consisted of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. In addition to the Grand Vin, Les Tourelles de Pichon Baron and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron are produced. Since the 2022 vintage, the dry white wine Les Griffons de Pichon Baron Grand Vin Blanc Sec has also been made.
