2015 Pichon Longueville Baron Baron de Pichon-Longueville

The 2015 Pichon Baron offers a delectable mixture of black fruit, mint and violet on its precocious nose that blossoms in the glass. The palate is vibrant, concentrated, delineated and fresh from its sapid entry with immense weight on the finish. Yet this is so tensile that you barely notice the horsepower in this impressive Pauillac that will last years. The 2015 is one of the best from the estate in the 2010s.

The character of Pichon is very much intact here, bitter dark chocolate, cassis, firm tannins, structured and muscular, orange peel, crayon, cocoa bean and juicy cassis and pomegranate fruit, great quality, on the precipice of being ready to drink. 80% new oak, Jean-René Matignon technical director. Has grown into its frame over the past few years.

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot. Aged 20 months in oak barrels (80% new) . Youthful fruit with a hint of integrated vanilla oak. Supple but fresh on the palate, a touch of sweetness adding a gourmand edge. Tannins present but refined. Length on the finish. Compact and concise. Should go the distance. (JL)