Griffons de Pichon Baron 2016

The 2016 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot matured in 60% new oak. The harvest was between 26 September and 18 October, and it represents 30% of the total yield. It has a very pure and detailed bouquet with blackberry, briary, cold stone and graphite aromas. This seems to meliorate in glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannin, a Griffons that is nimble and agile, the finish very precise with an almost clinical graphite-tinged finish. This is superb.

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.

The 2016 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is quite powerful and dense. Aging, and specifically, the barrel regime of 18 months in oak (60% new) has left the 2016 with a heavy toast/torrefaction quality that at present overpowers the dark fruit and Cabernet aromatics the wine showed from barrel. Frankly, I liked the 2016 more en primeur. Drink 2019 - 2028.

Just a stunning black-purple color, the wine is superb this year. Concentrated layers of luscious fruits, the structure is forthright and graceful with round, creamy tannins and a long, black currant, spice and licorice-filled finish. Hard to believe this wine this is not a classified growth in this vintage! The wine was created from a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot. Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is produced from a vat selection that is tasted before the final blending.