Les Griffons Pichon Baron Pauillac 2018 (Half Bottle 375mL)

The estate’s founding dates back to the late 17th century, during the reign of Louis XIV. Amongst the most powerful wine merchants of the time and steward of Chateau Latour, Pierre Desmezures de Rauzan purchased some nearby plots to offer as dowry for his daughter, Thérèse. She married Baron Jacques Pichon de Longueville in 1694, and this illustrious estate was born. The estate was split in two in 1850, with Baron Raoul Pichon keeping half for himself and handing over the other section to his three sisters, thereafter known as Pichon Comtesse. The famous Renaissance Chateau that graces the estate today was commissioned the following year. The Chateau would be completed soon after receiving prestigious “2nd Growth” status in the Bordeaux official classification of 1855 and proudly stands today.

The “Les Griffons” offering was added to the portfolio in 2012. The cabernet dominant wine uses all estate fruit from gravelly plots of land near the Gironde estuary, accounting for roughly 20% of the estate’s production yearly. For the 2018 vintage, the blend resulted in 52% cabernet sauvignon and 48% merlot. The wine ages in 60% in new French barrels, the remaining 40% from once-used barrels for 18 months before bottling.

While still early, the 2018 vintage in Pauillac is shaping up to be legendary. A low crop, with warm days, cold nights and great weather through the harvest ensured powerful, structured and fresh wines that will show well early, without sacrificing the ability to cellar over decades. This is a powerful and heady style of cabernet dominant Bordeaux. Delicate and seductive aromas of blackberry, plum, and cassis are elegantly framed with cigar box and clove, leading into a mouth of black cherries, graphite, and mocha. This is one of the greatest values of the stellar 2018 vintage, in a format that allows for immediate enjoyment. Get your share while you can!

PAIRING IDEAS: This bold cabernet base shares a lot in common with classic Napa reds, so steak is on the board. Get a nice flavorful cut, like skirt or Zabuton, cooked hot and fast. To serve, add on these Gratin Dauphinoise potatoes.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon formed one of rock’s greatest quartets back in 1964. To settle on a name, the members sat around taking turns throwing out ideas, with the rest of the group responding, “the who?!?” in chorus. Eventually, it was the chorus that stuck. Here’s one of their all-time bests with “Baba O’Riley”!