Description
Chateau Pichon Longueville Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2013
Chateau Pichon Longueville Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2013 comes from France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, and is the second wine of Second Growth Pichon Baron, known for its high value and consistent quality. The 2013 vintage is regarded as one of the more distinctive vintages on Bordeaux's Left Bank; this Les Griffons displays layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee. It has medium-to-full body, ripe and refined tannins, elegant yet powerful structure, with the classic Pauillac style balanced with modern finesse.
Vinification & Style
Chateau Pichon Longueville Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is produced in France, Bordeaux, Pauillac, under AOC Pauillac, and the estate is classified as 2eme Grand Cru Classé (Second Growth) in the 1855 classification. The 2013 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (around 57%), with Merlot (around 41%) and small amounts of Petit Verdot (around 2%), reflecting the estate's commitment to traditional Left Bank varieties. The wine is matured in French oak for about 14–16 months, with around 30–40% new barrels, giving cedar, toast, vanilla and spice while retaining the Left Bank's characteristic fruit richness, silkiness and fine line.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby, intense and bright with a glossy sheen, reflecting the ripeness and concentration of the 2013 vintage.
Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite and hints of coffee and cocoa — a rich, complex nose with Pauillac's characteristic fruity elegance.
Palate: Medium-to-full body, with fresh black and red fruit, and ripe but still firm tannins; acidity keeps the fruit, wood and spice in balance, with a rounded texture. Mid-palate reveals cedar, tobacco, black pepper, cassis, graphite and a touch of coffee, giving a rich, elegant impression but with Les Griffons' typical finesse.
Finish: Long, with black fruit, floral notes, cedar and spice, and tannins still present but beginning to soften; further bottle age will round it out further.
Reviews & Accolades
James Suckling: 91 points — "The 2013 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron shows ripe black fruit, cedar and spice, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Pauillac performances."
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 90 points — "The 2013 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron shows sweet black fruit, cedar and graphite, medium-to-full body, dense and silky texture, one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast: 91 points — "The 2013 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Pauillac performances."
The Wine Cellar Insider: 93 points — "The 2013 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron shows chocolate, flowers, currants, tobacco, and cherries, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Pauillac performances."
Overall, the wine is viewed as one of the most attractive value Pauillacs in the 2013 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron lineup, suitable for drinking now and for mid-term ageing (around 10–20 years), with further development of cedar, tobacco and ripe fruit complexity in the bottle.
Serving & Pairing
Decanting: 1–2 hours recommended at this stage.
Serving temperature: 16–18°C.
Food pairing (HK-friendly)
Red meats: Charcoal-grilled rib-eye, sirloin steak, black-pepper beef, braised beef short ribs, grilled lamb chops.
Chinese: Roast goose, soy-sauce chicken, soy-braised short ribs, oxtail stew, slow-braised beef brisket.
Cheese / charcuterie: Comté, mature Cheddar, Gruyère, cured ham, salami.
Special Info
The 2013 vintage on Bordeaux's Left Bank is generally considered distinctive and rewarding, and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron in 2013 has been described as elegant, balanced and fruit-forward, meaning it is drinkable now but will gain further complexity with further bottle age. The estate's history stretches back to the 17th century, and it is a Second Growth in the 1855 classification, known for high value and consistent quality.
Origin: France, Bordeaux, Pauillac
Type: Red Wine
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, blended with Merlot and small amounts of Petit Verdot
ABV: 13.5%
Volume: 750ml
