Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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.

WEINWISSER: 19 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "Samtenes, dichtes, komplexes, cremiges, süsses, fein üppiges Bouquet, Cassiscreme, schwarze Schokolade, Feuerstein, Rauch, Korinthen, Dörrfrüchte, fein Caramel, Lakritze. Konzentrierter, fein opulenter, süsser Gaumen mit kräftiger Frucht, viel feinem Tannin, cremiger Struktur, vielfältiger, dunkler Aromatik, sehr langer, üppiger, süsser Abgang. 19/20 trinken - 2045"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 97 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Young as you´d expect, but it´s impossible not to love the layers of sweet, ripe, lush fruits, silky, opulent tannins and long, mouth filling finish."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very dark purple still. Massive but beautifully constructed. Lovely ripeness. Structured. Real class. But is it retreating into its shell? Just a little lighter than the Pontet-Canet. ´Twas funny to hear ´A-X-A´ spelt out for once."

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. 13,000 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Currants and crushed blackberries, with hints of flowers on the nose. Full body, yet refined and beautiful with polished tannins and a long finish. So balanced. Excellent second wine from Pichon Baron. Try after 2018."