Pauillac
Welcome to the remarkable world of Pauillac, an appellation that stands as a testament to the grandeur and finesse of Bordeaux wines.
Pauillac is home to some of the most celebrated vineyards in Bordeaux, renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship and the sheer magnificence of their wines. At the pinnacle of this appellation lies the iconic Château Lafite Rothschild, a legendary estate that has captivated wine enthusiasts for centuries. Its wines, characterized by their aristocratic finesse, layers of complexity, and remarkable age-worthiness, have become the benchmark for excellence.
Another exceptional vineyard in Pauillac is Château Latour, revered for its consistency in producing wines of extraordinary depth, intensity, and longevity. With its unrivaled pedigree and unparalleled reputation, Château Latour stands as a symbol of Pauillac's winemaking heritage. Château Mouton Rothschild, known for its opulent and opulent wines, delights with its richness, elegance, and artful blending.
Other distinguished vineyards in Pauillac include Pichon Baron, recognized for its precision and structure, and Pichon Lalande, admired for its finesse and feminine charm. Pontet-Canet, with its biodynamic practices and uncompromising commitment to quality, produces wines of immense power, depth, and complexity.
The terroir of Pauillac, with its gravelly and well-draining soils, coupled with the influence of the Gironde estuary, provides ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape variety in the region. Pauillac wines exhibit a captivating blend of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite, and hints of cigar box, framed by firm yet refined tannins and vibrant acidity. They possess a remarkable structure, balance, and potential for long-term aging.
Pauillac
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(1x75cl) 1994Wine Advocate (88)
Dark ruby/purple-colored, with a crushed, pure cassis aroma, this excellent, medium to full-bodied wine reveals sweet fruit on the attack, plenty of tannin, but not the inner-core of richness and density exhibited by such other 1994 Pauillacs as Pichon-Lalande, Grand-Puy-Lacoste, and Pontet-Canet. To its credit, the 1994 Pichon-Baron does not reveal any vegetal notes. It should evolve nicely for 10-15 years, representing an attractive, well-made, medium-bodied, classically rendered Bordeaux. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2014.HK$1,020.00 -
(12x75cl) 1995Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 1995 Pichon Baron was an ex-château bottle that had been reconditioned at the estate. This has a beautiful bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and mint, the latter becoming prominent with aeration. A friend mentioned rooibos tea and I immediately clock that scent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very pure and slightly ferrous in style. I have to say that this bottle is superior to previous ones, more vigorous with greater weight and less evolution towards the finish. Quite sweet on the aftertaste, it is simply, banally, just delicious. Drinking perfectly now. Tasted at the 1995 Bordeaux off-line at Piccolino in London.HK$18,570.00 -
(12x75cl) 1996Decanter (96)
Jean-Rene Matignon had been the winemaker for 10 years at this point and has made a brilliant wine that took its time to come around but is tasting delicious right now, exceptionally enjoyable and enticing. Supple tannins, plenty of grilled cedar and tobacco leaf, plump-textured cassis and blackberry brambled fruits, still fairly backward and young, just very much a classic Pauillac that has poise and lift. A dark horse, not seen as impressive as Comtesse in its youth, but now flexing its muscles.HK$19,395.00 -
Wine Spectator (91)
Slightly earthy, featuring tobacco, cigar box and dark fruits. Full-bodied, offering supervelvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Plenty of subtle things are going on here in the glass, with lots of wonderful fruit underneath. Can't wait on this. Showing beautifully now. Better than ever.¿'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now.HK$16,280.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2000 Château Pichon Baron is just getting better and better and better. Perhaps the magnum format played its part, but nevertheless...just...wow. This is a millennial Left Bank with the keys to the top drawer. It has an incredibly precise, mineral-driven bouquet with intense black fruit infused with cedar and graphite scents. It just reeks of Pauillac in an almost uncompromising, yet compelling manner. The palate is structured, stylish and effortless, extraordinarily pure and unerringly youthful. This is a Pichon Baron saying, You ain't seen nothing yet. You could broach this now if you wanted, but the clever people will wisely bunker this for another decade and gloat from 2025 onward. Tasted January 2016.HK$26,115.00 -
(6x150cl) 2000Wine Advocate (97)
The 2000 Château Pichon Baron is just getting better and better and better. Perhaps the magnum format played its part, but nevertheless...just...wow. This is a millennial Left Bank with the keys to the top drawer. It has an incredibly precise, mineral-driven bouquet with intense black fruit infused with cedar and graphite scents. It just reeks of Pauillac in an almost uncompromising, yet compelling manner. The palate is structured, stylish and effortless, extraordinarily pure and unerringly youthful. This is a Pichon Baron saying, You ain't seen nothing yet. You could broach this now if you wanted, but the clever people will wisely bunker this for another decade and gloat from 2025 onward. Tasted January 2016.HK$31,430.00 -
Wine Spectator (93)
Dense aromas of licorice, tobacco, cedar and currants. Subtle yet complex. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a rich, long finish. Very pretty. One of the best from Pauillac this year, and clearly better than 2001. One of the surprises of the vintage. Best after 2008. 20,000 cases made.HK$12,925.00 -
(3x300cl) 2003James Suckling (96)
Sweet tobacco and plum with hints of leather and cassis on the nose. Full bodied, with big velvety tannins and lots of fruit. Very rich and powerful, even chewy. Give this some time to mellow out. Pull the cork after 2016. Find the wineHK$16,960.00 -
(12x75cl) 2004Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2004 Pichon-Baron has a lilting bouquet of blackberry, wild strawberry, rose petals and dried herbs, conservative in style but clean and precise. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, and quite sappy in the mouth. This 2004 has plenty of personality and sports an attractive estuarine personality, showing traces of brine and seaweed toward the fresh, bright, vivid finish. It should drink well for many years. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château.HK$13,110.00 -
Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)
Baron was trapped in its oak en primeur, seeming flashy, luscious and soft. Now bottled and shipped, it has the unremitting tannic power of the vintage, balanced by unrelenting purity of fruit that somehow manages to anesthetize the monstrous tannin, to soften the extremely dry, mineral-bound finish into a caress. The wine may be bombastic, but it's also succulent and as sweet as a ripe black raspberry. It's easy to imagine this wine 50 years from now, in impeccable condition.HK$18,190.00 -
(1x75cl) 2005Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)
Baron was trapped in its oak en primeur, seeming flashy, luscious and soft. Now bottled and shipped, it has the unremitting tannic power of the vintage, balanced by unrelenting purity of fruit that somehow manages to anesthetize the monstrous tannin, to soften the extremely dry, mineral-bound finish into a caress. The wine may be bombastic, but it's also succulent and as sweet as a ripe black raspberry. It's easy to imagine this wine 50 years from now, in impeccable condition.HK$1,405.00 -
Wine & Spirit Magazine (96)
Baron was trapped in its oak en primeur, seeming flashy, luscious and soft. Now bottled and shipped, it has the unremitting tannic power of the vintage, balanced by unrelenting purity of fruit that somehow manages to anesthetize the monstrous tannin, to soften the extremely dry, mineral-bound finish into a caress. The wine may be bombastic, but it's also succulent and as sweet as a ripe black raspberry. It's easy to imagine this wine 50 years from now, in impeccable condition.HK$20,290.00 -
Vinous (92+)
Full ruby-red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, cassis, minerals, bitter chocolate and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and densely packed, with lovely violet lift to its concentrated dark fruit and mineral flavors. Juicy acidity and serious building tannins give this very young wine terrific backbone for aging. Really spreads out to saturate the palate.HK$13,985.00 -
Vinous (92+)
Full ruby-red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, cassis, minerals, bitter chocolate and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and densely packed, with lovely violet lift to its concentrated dark fruit and mineral flavors. Juicy acidity and serious building tannins give this very young wine terrific backbone for aging. Really spreads out to saturate the palate.HK$7,132.00 -
(12x75cl) 2008Jeb Dunnuck (95)
One of the richer, sexier wines in the vintage, the 2008 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a rock star perfume of red and black currants, crushed violets, graphite, and charcoal, with a hint of truffle working its way in there as well. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and expansive, it has more fruit and opulence than most, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a wine to seek out and has another 20 years of prime drinking.HK$12,865.00 -
(12x75cl) 2009Decanter (98)
Straight away the deep, rich colour tells you that this is a sexy, powerful wine, barely hitting the next stage of evolution at seven years old. The nose is rich and spicy, and carries through perfectly onto the palate of exotic, spiced plum flavours with a tarry, liquorice edge. Great confidence on display. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot.HK$18,045.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Rocking stuff that continues to show well, the 2010 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron bursts from the glass with ripe, darker currants, spice, leather, and cedar pencil notes. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, it’s incredibly concentrated and powerful, with beautiful overall balance. It's a complete, satisfying, textbook Pauillac that has so much to love. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles in the cellar. Give it a solid decant if drinking any time soon, and it will keep for another 30+ years. Drink 2025-2055.HK$16,840.00 -
(1x75cl) 2010Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Rocking stuff that continues to show well, the 2010 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron bursts from the glass with ripe, darker currants, spice, leather, and cedar pencil notes. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, it’s incredibly concentrated and powerful, with beautiful overall balance. It's a complete, satisfying, textbook Pauillac that has so much to love. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles in the cellar. Give it a solid decant if drinking any time soon, and it will keep for another 30+ years. Drink 2025-2055.HK$1,525.00 -
(6x150cl) 2010Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Rocking stuff that continues to show well, the 2010 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron bursts from the glass with ripe, darker currants, spice, leather, and cedar pencil notes. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, it’s incredibly concentrated and powerful, with beautiful overall balance. It's a complete, satisfying, textbook Pauillac that has so much to love. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles in the cellar. Give it a solid decant if drinking any time soon, and it will keep for another 30+ years. Drink 2025-2055.HK$20,060.00 -
(12x75cl) 2011Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2011 Pichon-Baron has an impressive bouquet with intense mineral-driven black fruit, cedar and a lovely marine influence that comes through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very harmonious with a fine bead of acidity. Classy, sophisticated, this has plenty of breeding. Superb. This is perhaps the best bottle that I have encountered. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.HK$13,285.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2011 Pichon-Baron has an impressive bouquet with intense mineral-driven black fruit, cedar and a lovely marine influence that comes through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very harmonious with a fine bead of acidity. Classy, sophisticated, this has plenty of breeding. Superb. This is perhaps the best bottle that I have encountered. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.HK$8,290.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (94)
The 2012 Pichon Baron is a magnificent wine that exudes freshness on the nose, with razor-sharp graphite notes suffusing the black fruit. The structured, linear palate just “sings” Pauillac; it is not as bold or as ambitious as the 2009 or 2015, yet there is perfect dryness toward the finish that urges you to take another sip. Granted, it is far too soon to broach this wine – I just couldn’t help myself.HK$5,720.00 -
James Suckling (94)
This has a really beautiful depth and finish to it with chocolate, blackberry, black currant and light mint character. Full. Very long. Seamless tannins. Hints of acidity. Better in 2019 but already excellent.HK$11,565.00 -
The Wine Cellar Insider (95-96)
Dark in color, with black, blue and cassis fruit complicated by smoke, earth and tobacco in the bouquet. This wine is rich, dense, long, silky and lush. There is a beautiful purity to the layers of ripe, sweet, fresh fruit and plush tannins. The finish builds and expands pleasantly in the mouth. This wine is probably better than the delightful 2003 and not far from the even more better 2005. Crafted from a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the wine reached 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.7. The Grand Vin represents 45% of the harvest.HK$6,805.00 -
Decanter (99)
Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.HK$14,500.00 -
(1x600cl) 2015Decanter (99)
Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.HK$13,285.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Decanter (99)
Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.HK$1,385.00 -
(3x75cl) 2015Decanter (99)
Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.HK$3,305.00 -
Decanter (99)
Yet another nose with standout freshness, even delicacy, but still quite youthful, mingling black fruit, spices, and spring flowers. A bit massive and still tightly wound on the palate, the wine has impressive tannic density and power but also finesse, apparent in the airborne, minty finish. Its terroir expression will need some time to come fully to the fore, but this is a superb wine.HK$7,000.00 -
(12x75cl) 2016James Suckling (99)
The concentration and largesse of the 2016 Pichon Baron is apparent from the get-go with incredibly alluring, ripe and expansive fruit aromas in the blackberry, dark-cherry, mulberry and plum zone. Espresso and cedar, as well as a slate-like, stony mineral edge add complexity. The palate has incredible depth, drive and detail. Fine and plush tannins stretch the palate in every direction. So fresh and vivacious, this is the greatest Pichon Baron since 1989 and has a long future. Try from 2024.HK$13,080.00

