Chateau Pichon Baron 2eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 2005

The 2005 Pichon Baron is in a gorgeous spot right now. Aromatically expressive and open, the 2005 is so expressive. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers, mocha and sweet red cherry fruit all meld together in a creamy, wonderfully expressive Pauillac. A long, persistent finish with terrific saline energy rounds things out in style. The 2005 is a super classic Pichon Baron that delivers so much pleasure.

The 2005 Pichon Baron was tasted against the 1995 and is a far superior vintage. Director Christian Seely commented that there was about half the volume in this vintage due to selection. This has a mineral-driven bouquet with layered black fruit, wild mint and light graphite scents giving way to touches of black truffle. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and vibrant with finely chiselled tannins and plenty of grip and substance. Still, there is precision here and wonderful sustain on the finish. This is drinking beautifully now but will last many years. Tasted at the château.

Weeks of sunshine preceded an entirely healthy harvest, leading to high expectations that have been fulfilled. This is still opaque red in colour, the resplendent black-fruit nose accompanied by toasty oak, though still a bit reserved. Very rich and velvety, it is highly concentrated with lavish tannins. Broad-shouldered and chocolatey, it has moderate acidity and is now beginning to open up, though it remains imposing and a bit monumental. Textured and long.

Dark red-ruby. Multidimensional nose offers deep aromas of currant, cedar, coffee, tobacco and minerals. The palate offers a rare combination of sweetness, energy and depth, with superb grip and a layered texture to the flavors of plum, cedar, tobacco and minerals. The finish features sweet, noble tannins and outstanding length. I find this more complete and ultimately more exciting than the 2003, but this will need at least a decade of cellaring. (The 2006 was in the middle of a racking and difficult to taste, but this wine conveyed the same impression of ripeness, energy and structure that my sample did last spring.)

The 2005 Pichon Baron has a dense ruby/purple color, sweet crème de cassis fruit, lots of cedar wood and forest floor, medium to full body, ripe tannin, and a long finish of a good 30+ seconds. This is a beauty and one of the most successful Pauillacs of this vintage. Drink it now through 2035.