Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is one of the second wines of the property. Created since the 2012 vintage, it has a pure and direct character. The grapes which make up this wine's blend come primarily from gravelly plots of land near the Gironde estuary, a good environment for Cabernet-Sauvignon. Les Griffons offers a vigorous and fresh tasting experience, full-bodied and clean, overflowing with energy. It can be laid down in the cellar for over 20 years or enjoyed right away.

Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2020 reveals a deep purple color. The nose is delicate with aromas of black fruit, subtle wood, tobacco and cedar. The generous palate is fruit-driven and well-structured with ample tannins. The finish is long and powerful with notes of blueberry and black cherry. This wine is well-balanced, rich and harmonious with great freshness. A classic cuvée, very typical of Pauillac.

Grape Composition: 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot

Wine Spectator: 92
Juicy, ripe and focused, with a delicious core of cassis and damson plum notes that mingle well, flanked by a hint of singed cedar and carried by floral and iron notes through the finish. Lovely. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 6,400 cases made.

Decanter: 95
Dark and heady on the nose, richly fruited and perfumed, smells serious and deep and totally inviting with dark chocolate, coffee and mocha notes with blackcurrant and black cherry and spiced vanilla, tobacco and cedar. Energetic, lively, vivid and bright on the palate but deep too, such a lovely vibrancy laced with liquorice, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Definitely serious but I love the energy, potency and florality. Structured and intense, totally seductive in a heady way yet still lively with a juicy core of strawberry, red cherry and blackcurrant. Feels nicely constructed and considered. A great second wine.

Decanter: 95

Dark and heady on the nose, richly fruited and perfumed, smells serious and deep and totally inviting with dark chocolate, coffee and mocha notes with blackcurrant and black cherry and spiced vanilla, tobacco and cedar. Energetic, lively, vivid and bright on the palate but deep too, such a lovely vibrancy laced with liquorice, tobacco and bitter chocolate. Definitely serious but I love the energy, potency and florality. Structured and intense, totally seductive in a heady way yet still lively with a juicy core of strawberry, red cherry and blackcurrant. Feels nicely constructed and considered. A great second wine.

Wine Enthusiast: 94
This wine is firm, its balance of Cabernet Sauvignon giving rich concentration and structure. The wine is dense, offering ripe tannins over the black currant fruits. Drink from 2027.

Vinous: 93
The 2020 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a powerful, concentrated wine. Dark and sumptuous in the glass, with terrific textural intensity, Les Griffons exudes charm. Black cherry, espresso, licorice, cloves, chocolate and menthol infuse the 2020 with tons of character. All the elements are impeccably balanced throughout in this Pauillac from gravelly soils.

James Suckling: 95
Blackcurrants and dark chocolate with rose stems and flowers. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, racy texture and a spicy finish. Polished. 50% merlot, 42% cabernet sauvignon and 8% petit verdot. Try after 2028.