Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020

The typicality of a Pauillac Second Wine

The estate

A 2nd Classified Growth of 1855 belonging the elite group of Bordeaux Grands Crus, Château Pichon Baron is one of the greatest estates of the Pauillac appellation.

The vineyard

A veritable mosaic of terroirs and superbly located near the Gironde estuary, the Pichon Baron vineyard extends over 73 hectares of vines planted in Médoc gravels soils with perfect drainage. The oldest vines of the property are used in the production of this emblematic wine of the appellation.

The Second wine of Château Pichon Baron, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020 is made from 25% of the property's vineyard.

The vintage

A historically rainy winter preceded a tropical spring. These conditions led to extreme vigilance on the part of the teams to protect the vineyard from mildew and manage the soils. The warmer weather subsequently recorded favoured flowering two weeks in advance. From the end of June onwards, dry and cool weather set in, followed by hot and dry summer conditions. The stormy episodes in mid-August were beneficial for the vineyard and the ripening of the fruit. The grapes harvested were tannic, colourful, with acidity and alcohol generally without excess.

Vinification and ageing

Plot and intra-plot selection. Manual then optical sorting. Early addition of natural yeast to protect the harvest by means of bio-protection. Active work in the vats at the start of maceration to promote extractions from the skin and limit seed tannins. Alcoholic fermentations started at temperatures of 25-30 ° C. Maceration lasted from 15 to 25 days. The malolactic fermentations were carried out in vats and then followed by rapid barreling in separate batches on fine lees. Ageing lasted 18 months in barrels (50% new, 50% second-fill barrels).

The blend

The Château Pichon Baron 2020 is made from a blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) and Petit Verdot (8%).