Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac 2009

98 points Robert Parker: "Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045. (Dec 2011)"

98 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "Attractive nose of elegant black fruit complicated by peppery spices and an alluring trace of smoke. After the subtle balance and delicacy of the 2008, this wine marks a return to the more formidable, classic style of Pichon Baron with its characteristic tension and upright structure and the powerful personality of a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine from one of the great terroirs of the Médoc. Precision and linearity on the palate but also a degree of racy restraint that indicates another decade at least will be necessary for the wine to really blossom. Bravo! Drinking Window: 2022-2040. (Dec 2021)"

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Pichon-Longueville Baron has a medium to deep garnet color and a very meaty/savory nose over a core of sweaty leather, baked blackberries and plums with notions of crème de cassis, sautéed herbs and black olives coming through with coaxing. Full, rich, concentrated and decadently fruited in the mouth, the palate has beautifully plush tannins and an herbal lift on the long finish. Drink: 2020-2048. (Mar 2019)"

96 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2009 Pichon-Baron replicates its epic performance at the vertical tasted last year. It has one of the finest bouquets among the group of Pauillac with copious blackberry, mint, melted tar and graphite notes, fresh and supremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very well judged acidity. Harmonious with plenty of tobacco and pencil lead infused black fruit towards the persistent finish. Awesome. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Drink: 2023-2045. (Mar 2019)"

96 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot). Crayon, cigar and cedarwood aromatics, relatively subdued because this is tightly packed with still-chewy tannins, but there is so much waiting underneath. Give this another few years, or a good few hours in a carafe, to fully appreciate how the dense brambly fruits unroll and expand outwards through the palate. Great quality, with muscular tannins that ensure the ripe fruit remains engaged and at the very beginning of their life. An exceptionally successful wine. 80% new oak. Jean-René Matignon technical director. (12/8/21)"

96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated deep ruby-red. Pungent, brooding, very ripe aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso and minerals, along with hints of spices and underbrush. Large-scaled, rich and deep, with superb chewy ripeness and terrific mineral lift. At once plush and powerful, boasting the texture of a first growth, with a near-perfect sugar/acid balance. The palate-staining finish features substantial ripe, chewy tannins and rising length. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for two or three decades. (Jul/Aug 2012)"

95 points James Suckling: "Bold, smoky and chocolatey, this is a concentrated and massive wine for the Medoc, the alcohol showing slightly at the bold warm finish. Where is that T-bone steak? Drink or hold. (2/7/19)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "This delivers a massive core of black Mission fig, black currant paste and roasted fig fruit, backed by alder wood, bay leaf, singed cedar and maduro tobacco. The finish lets a racy iron note take over. Long and authoritative, with gorgeous acidity giving the balance for long-term cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2030. (3/31/12)"

95 points Peter Moser (Falstaff) (2/13/20).