hâteau Pichon Longueville Baron 1999 – A mature and expressive Pauillac showing its full depth. Aromas of tobacco, cigar box, dark fruits, and subtle earthy notes lead to a medium-bodied palate with grainy yet velvety tannins. Layers of black fruits, hints of orange zest, and a touch of iodine provide complexity, while the long, rich finish highlights both elegance and power. Drinking beautifully now, with a vibrant and compelling character.

Wine Spectator | WS 91
Published: May 31, 2010

Slightly earthy, featuring tobacco, cigar box and dark fruits. Full-bodied, offering supervelvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Plenty of subtle things are going on here in the glass, with lots of wonderful fruit underneath. Can't wait on this. Showing beautifully now. Better than ever. -- '89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now.

The Wine Advocate | RP 90
Published: Jul 31, 2009
Drink: 2009-2018

Tasted at the 1999 horizontal at Bordeaux Index. A similar note to last month. Quite animally on the nose, a touch of sous-bois and with further aeration there is a slight estuarine accent. Good definition, a little more opulence than the Pichon-Lalande. The palate is medium-bodied, grainy tannins, broody black fruits, a hint of iodine, a touch of orange zest, great tension and vibrancy on the finish. Ostentatious, perhaps a little too showy, although admittedly  very drinkable. Drink now-2018. Tasted June 2009.

Jancis Robinson | JR 16.5+?
Published: Jun 25, 2009
Drink: 2010-2019

Dark crimson. Lots of development. Rich and a little brutal compared with Pichon Lalande. Every sinew is strained but the result is perhaps not quite as beguiling. Very dry tannins despite all the evolution apparent at the rim.