Château Pichon Baron, Pauillac, 2ème Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France 2013

Superb colour, lots of fruit, structure and length on the palate, a strong Pauillac, all vigour and depth and elegance to come.

Striking expression of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, unique for this Château, pure and long: a 'civilised' Pauillac.

Dense colour, slightly smoky fruit from new oak, good middle sweetness and 7% Petit Verdot adds spice and grip.

The nose is rather shy, but what is remarkable is that there is no trace of the green notes of pyrazine that can be so predominant in this troublesome vintage, especially in the Médoc where grapes struggled to ripen. This is a relatively light-bodied, less structured Pichon Baron, but it is very fresh and appetising and benefits from a delightful fruit-driven finish. In the words of Christian Seely, it is "the most miraculous wine we have ever made." It is undeniably one of the frank successes of the vintage, and while it has no need of further aging, it may even surprise us further in the future.

Pichon-Baron is never shy and retiring, and this is no exception. The nose has developed a savoury tone alongside its blackcurrant and liquorice aromas. It's compact, dense and imposing, with no sign of evolution. Robust and even chunky, it does lack some finesse but it's a typically assertive Pauillac with considerable staying power and length.