Jamessuckling.com | JS 93
Published: Jan 19, 2019

Attractive, modern style with assorted, ripe summer berries, layered with upbeat, toasty oak. The palate is fresh and gently muscular tannins serve this wine well. Try from 2022.

The Wine Advocate | RP 88
Published: Nov 30, 2018

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron gives aromas of tar, sautéed herbs and earth over a cassis and baked cherries core. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and chewy, finishing with an herbal lift.
Drink Date: 2019 - 2029

Pichonbaron.com

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.

Vintage conditions
The 2016 vintage was marked by widely varying weather conditions with a cold, wet winter, a damp spring and a hot, dry summer. A long, splendid Indian summer helped the grapes reach excellent ripeness levels.
Flowering took place in excellent conditions. From mid-July, temperatures were close to seasonal averages. There was very little rain up until the veraison. These restrictive conditions favoured thickening of the skins and polyphenol concentration. Everything augured well for the harvest, with a reasonable yield, ideal weather, remarkable quality and no concerns with respect to the sanitary condition of the grapes. The balance between the polyphenols in the grapes resulted in powerful yet nicely-polished tannins, with plenty of personality. Stringent plot selection was carried out with the emphasis on slow extraction, tailored to each terroir. Temperatures were maintained at 27°C to 29°C. Maceration lasted between 19 and 27 days. Running off was completed at the end of November.

Harvest
The harvest for Les Griffons de Pichon Baron took place between 26th September and 18th October, with the Merlot grapes from 26th September to 10th October, and the Cabernet-Sauvignon from 15th to 18th October.

Tasting note
Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2016 has a dark, intense and almost opaque colour. The nose is enhanced by fresh dark fruit such as blackberry and cherry, followed by spices and lightly grilled notes of wood. The palate is fleshy, opulent and well balanced. The texture of the tannins is juicy and creamy. As a whole it is harmonious and distinguished.

Jean-René Matignon - Technical Director - May 2018
Bottling date: May 25th 2018

Blend
Cabernet sauvignon 52%, Merlot 48%

Ageing
60 % in new barrels, 40 % from barrels of one vintage for 18 months.