Pichon-Longueville-Baron Pauillac 2016

99 points James Suckling: "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. (1/19/19)"

99 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "With a tannic, racy edge to all the fresh, ripe, sweet, fleshy, currants on the palate, the wine kicks off with espresso, tobacco leaf, currants, black cherries, cigar box, underbrush, red fruits, and chalk. Simply put, this is fabulous! The tannins are perfectly ripe giving you the structure to show off all the layers of supple, textured, fresh, pure, racy fruits. The seamless finish grabs your palate and keeps it. This is in contention as the finest vintage of Pichon Baron produced by Jean Rene Matignon. Drink from 2022-2060. (Jul 2022)"

99 points (19.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Even though it has closed up a little, the 2016 remains monumental. A structured, energetic, and powerful wine, but also very refined. Its sparkling finish carries it very far. (2020)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot). An exceptional vintage where the Cabernet expression at five years old is dominant - savoury and sculpted cassis bud, bilberry and blueberry fruit alongside waves of rosebud and violet. The tannins are concentrated and still austere, but this is a great Pichon Baron, with liqourice, slate, pencil lead, waves of flavour resonating through the palate. Just a brilliant reflection of a vintage and a terroir. 80% new oak. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2026-2052. (12/8/21)"

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, the 2016 Pichon Baron is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling to uncover notes of blackcurrant cordial, chocolate-covered cherries, and boysenberry preserves, plus suggestions of cedar chest, tapenade, and clove oil, with a touch of iron ore. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with energy, featuring layers of black fruits and minerals, supported by ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and earthy. This is so beautifully pure and intense. Alcohol 13.3%. Drink: 2025-2055. (12/8/22)"

98 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The assemblage here is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, a reassuring dominance from the former variety, and the élevage is in 80% new oak barrels, and 20% second-fill barrels, for 18 months. This has a wonderfully pure, broad, confident and correct nose of violet cream, black plums, damsons and a little touch of black bean and toast. It is the broad and balanced presentation of the aromas that counts most. The palate follows this lead, showing so pure, refined, confident, balanced and fresh, with a stunning juxtaposition of concentration and elegance. The dark and highly polished fruits are supported by seams of tightly grained tannins as well as some toasted, mineral, salty black bean notes. This is stunning. (Dec 2018)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more. Drink: 2022-2052. (2/28/19)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks. Drink: 2022-2057. (Nov 2018)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk. Drink: 2026-2041. (Jan 2019)"

96 points/'#8 Top 100 Wines of 2019,' Wine Spectator: "This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there's ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. (3/31/19)"

96 points Jonathan Cristaldi (Decanter): "This prestigious Pauillac second growth, owned by insurance company AXA Millésimes, has become known for its structured, ageworthy wines since major investments began in the 1980s. The 75ha vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, vinified in stainless steel and aged 18 months in French oak barrels (80% new). Georgie Hindle: Dark fruit and salty stones. Clean, clear palate, lovely finesse to the fine tannins; sinewy and precise with cool blueberry and liquorice accents. Crystalline finish. Vincenzo Arnese: Notes of tobacco smoke and charcoal. Good intensity and richness on the palate, and the finish is balanced and crisp. Good tannin integration. Robert Mathias MW: Restrained and brooding at the moment, yet there’s plenty of depth beneath. Ripe bramble fruit, black tea and aniseed build on the palate. It’s a muscular wine that has a lot of potential. Drinking Window: 2025-2042. (4/20/25)"

96 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2016 Pichon Baron is outstanding, powerful on the nose with blackberry, mocha and just a hint of dark chocolate that emerges after an hour. The palate is weighty in the mouth but delivers real elegance, graphite-tinged black fruit fanning out gloriously on the finish. It is probably three years away from when I would advise opening bottles. Drink: 2028-2055. (Jan 2025)"

96 points Falstaff: "Dark ruby with an opaque core, brightening at the rim. Intense dark berry fruit character with blackberry and dark cherry, along with touches of chocolate and fresh orange zest, and some mocha through to the very long finish. A powerful and textured wine, with good fruit, vivid tannins, and fine structure. Possessing great ageing potential, it is clearly a Vin de Garde. (Jun 2017)"