Pichon Baron Offline (UK Wine Forum)

Alba restaurant, London
Tasted Friday, May 15, 2009 by SimonG with 1,011 views

Flight 1 (1 Note)

Flight 2 (5 Notes)

A good start. The 03 seemed a little atypical but not in the way I was expecting. The 2000 is tight and oaky that I think this is one to leave for a decade. The 02 seems to be starting to close up after my previosu bottles of this that have been more opulent and inviting. The 01 has potential to be very good indeed and the 04 was simply stunning - I'd keep it a while yet but it was probably the most interesting now for those that like em young.

Flight 3 (4 Notes)

A mixed bag ere. The 91 was poor, the 97 decent enough but losing the fruit it might have once had. The 99 and 98 were both decent, the 99 in a creamier flesher style and the 98 a little higher apparent acidity and with a bit more bite. Seems to have put on a little flesh since the bottle Jeremy brought to an RJ offline three years ago.

Flight 4 (5 Notes)

The 86 was good, not brutal but also not as obviously Pchon Baron, so possibly it stil needs a bit more time for the terroir to come through. The 66 was lovely, classic claret and the 53 not far behind, just a little in to its decline. Thanks, I think(!) for the blind 67 and well done Neal M for nailing it as the 67.

Flight 5 (3 Notes)

The 94/95/96 were served blind as part of Mr Holland's 'promote 94 claret' campaign. Interestingly, half the room nailed each individual vintage correctly, but I think it was only Neal M, Nigel W and mself that got all three correct. Anway, chuffed to have picked them out n my percetions of the vintage character. The 94 was, as Mr H would have told you, a good wine.

  • 1995 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    94/95/96 served blind. Slightly mute nose, still quite tight. taut, quite linear. The fleshiness is there but it is still reserved. Guessed 95. ****

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  • 1994 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    94/95/96 served blind. Fleshy, coffee-scented nose but a little thinner on the palate. A good wine though. Reasonably promient acidity but the lack of flesh on this leads me to the 1994. ***1/2

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  • 1996 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    94/95/96 served blind. Curious start; bovril nose, stewed eef tea. More flesh than B (94) on the palate. Indeed the texture and taste of thisis the richest and most opulent of the three. curious nose is getting rubbery now. After 20 mins the nose clers up and this is very nice. A richness and sense of opulence, sexy even. I think this is the 96. ****1/2

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Flight 6 (5 Notes)

I think this next flght must have been the best individual flight I've ever had at an offline. Simply stunning. The 89 was my WOTN followed by the 62, 88 and 90. I think if we'd considered half a bottle, rather than a small pour, over the course of the evening the 90 may have crept past on the inside, but as it was, the 89 took it for me. I was really taken by the depth and the richness and texture of the 62. Right up there with the others considering it has a quarter of a century head start.

  • 1990 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    More classically cedary nose. A touch of mint. Palate more like I'd have expected the 88 to be initialy. Rch nose, more austere palate. Very very good though and this improves in the glass during the flight. ****(*)

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  • 1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Fabulously rich, opulent nose. Follows through to the attack; rich, rounded, spicy. Really lovely. Richer and riper than a Leoville B tasted recently. Nose becoming beef tea and then reminiscent of the 96. Fleshy, dense finish. Stunning. *****

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  • 1988 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Fabulous nose; concentrated coffee, spice, fruit. Layer upon layer. Palate is more classically 88, quite taut and correct, a little strict even. Slightly dry finish. Realy lovely wine. Commands attention. *****

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  • 1982 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Madeira cake nose, a little disjointed and over-ripe cf the 62. After 30 mins the coffee is starting to come through. To me this is a good wine and shows the vintage character but it is out-gunned in this flight (90/89/88/82/62). ****

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  • 1962 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Fabulous level and condition, apparently sourced directly from the chateau. Lovely, rich, sexy nose. Opulent, rich. Positive atack, still fleshy and rich, ever so slightly thinningtoward the end of the mid-palate. Decent length. Gorgeous though probably on a gradual decline now. (*)****

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Flight 7 (3 Notes)

Interesting selection of sweet wines, the Constance de trop, the 97 Haut Lieu standing above the others carried along by its peerless balance and precission.

Closing

A stunning evening of wines. Many thaks to Nigel P for pulling this together and to everyone for their fabulous wines.

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