Château Pichon Baron 2002

The 2002 vintage in Pauillac

Vintage benchmark: 89/100 (appellation benchmark, not a score for this wine)

Vintage character: A dry, bright October redeemed a mediocre summer: the Médoc's cabernets fared well, the merlots far less so.

Overall reading of the year’s season across Pauillac. An estate can depart from it sharply, in frost or hail years, where two neighbours did not make the same vintage. What this particular wine actually gave is on its technical sheet and in the scores above.

Tasting

Château Pichon Baron 2002 presents a dark, deep and dense garnet red color. A fine, subtle nose of very ripe black fruit, spices and toasted bread. Full-bodied on the palate with textured, softened tannins. A fine, elegant, fruity and aristocratic taste. The finish is fresh and very long, well balanced and velvety. It ages very well and reveals aromas of cigar box, Havana, sweet spice and pencil lead.

Blend of the 2002 vintage

Figures from the 2002 sheet

• 31 hl/haYield
• 30 yrsVine age
• 180,000 bottlesProduction

Winemaking

The grapes macerated at 27-31°C for 15 to 23 days.

Ageing

70% in new barrels, 30% in barrels that had held another vintage, for 15 months.

Terroir

Overlooking the Latour vineyard, the 73 ha of Domaine de Pichon Baron extend over gravelly soils of very high quality. This unique land, low in nutrients and without excess water, sparingly feeds old vine stocks whose grape production is deliberately small but of exceptional nobility. This terroir is capable of producing extraordinary wines, which the property sets out to do with excellence and consistency, respecting the original history of this vineyard. Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the extensive Pichon Baron vineyard has been divided up into meticulously defined plots. The great 40 ha terroir of the Pichon Baron knoll is devoted solely to the production of the Grand Vin and today accounts for the greater part of its blend.