Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2021

A delicate and complex Second Vin de Pauillac

The estate

A 2nd Classified Growth of 1855 belonging the elite group of Bordeaux Grands Crus, Chateau 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 Medoc gravels soils with perfect drainage. The oldest vines of the property are used in the production of this emblematic Pauillac wine.

The wine

Produced since the 2012 vintage, Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is the second wine of Chateau Pichon Baron.

The vintage

Mild and particularly rainy, the winter was punctuated by drier conditions from mid-February onwards, as well as a very mild period at the end of March, thus favoring budburst at the end of that same month. Several episodes of frost were recorded at the beginning of April. Thunderstorms in June led to significant mildew pressure. The cool, rainy conditions in July and early August slowed down vegetative development and the veraison period. Subsequently, the mild weather from mid-August to mid-September was ideal for the ripening of the grapes. Despite low yields, the grapes harvested between September 27th and October 7th boasted a high quality.

Vinification and aging

Plot-by-plot vinification in wooden and stainless steel vats. Long cold pre-fermentation maceration to preserve the quality of the fruit. Addition of indigenous yeast from old Cabernet Sauvignon vines located on the plateau. Maceration carried out between 24 and 29°C. Extraction in the middle of fermentation. Run-off with malolactic fermentation in vats, along with regular barreling. Aged for 18 months in barrels (40% new, 60% second-fill barrels).

The blend

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2021 comprises a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Merlot (44%) and Petit Verdot (11%).