Wines Pauillac Château Pichon-Longueville Baron - 2010

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 2010 is an exemplary Pauillac from one of Bordeaux’s most esteemed estates. Crafted primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and occasionally trace amounts of Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot, the 2010 vintage reflects both the estate’s aristocratic pedigree and the unique strength of the season. The wine exhibits a deep, inky ruby hue with aromas of cassis, blackberry, cedar, graphite, and a subtle minerality entwined with smoke and cigar box. The palate is powerful yet finely structured, showing ripe dark fruit layered with refined tannins and a long, lingering finish. Ageing takes place in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, which imparts additional complexity and helps shape its firm tannic backbone.

The Pauillac appellation is regarded as the spiritual heart of the Médoc, with its gravelly soils over limestone and clay providing perfect drainage and ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon to reach its fullest potential. The moderate oceanic climate, tempered by the Gironde estuary, ensures sufficient sunlight, temperate rainfall, and protection against frost, all vital for producing complex, long-lived wines. Pauillac’s history as a wine region stretches back centuries, with its châteaux, like Pichon-Longueville Baron, playing a central role in defining the Bordeaux style.

A wine of this stature pairs magnificently with equally noble dishes. Classic French combinations like roast rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic, entrecôte à la Bordelaise, or duck breast with a red wine reduction allow the deep fruit and savoury complexity of the wine to shine. Regional specialities such as cèpes (porcini mushrooms) in rich sauces or confit de canard also complement the structure and depth of the Pauillac.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine at least an hour before serving to allow it to open up and reveal its aromatic subtleties. Serve at a temperature between 16-18°C. While approachable, the 2010 vintage is built for ageing and will continue to develop beautifully over the next decade or more, rewarding those with patience.