2009 Château Pichon Baron, Pauillac, Bordeaux

3 hl/ha, older vines. Two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot – they say Merlot quality in 09 was very Cabernet Sauvignon-like. IPT total polyphenol index) 88, TA 3.4 g/l. One of the most concentrated vintages ever – from fruit not extraction. Very very dark crimson. Very mineral and grown up. Lovely lift and great, polished tannins. Very fresh and fine tannins with density and lift on the finish. Very sophisticated. Lots of mass. Reminds me a little of their 1990, though the yields were very much lower in 2009. Very glossy and confident. Very sophisticated.

The 2009 Pichon-Longueville Baron has a medium to deep garnet color and a very meaty/savory nose over a core of sweaty leather, baked blackberries and plums with notions of crème de cassis, sautéed herbs and black olives coming through with coaxing. Full, rich, concentrated and decadently fruited in the mouth, the palate has beautifully plush tannins and an herbal lift on the long finish.