Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Identity

Château Pichon Longueville Baron, also known as Château Pichon Baron, is a winegrowing estate located in Pauillac, in Gironde. It was classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé in 1855. The estate is owned by the AXA Millésimes group. Managing director Christian Seely oversees general management, while technical direction is led by Pierre Montégut.

History and philosophy

The estate's history dates back to the late 17th century, when it was founded by Jacques de Pichon, baron de Longueville. Château Pichon-Longueville Baron was built in 1851 by Raoul de Pichon-Longueville. The property was divided in 1850 between Baron Raoul and his three sisters, giving rise to two distinct estates. The Pichon family left the property in 1933. The AXA Millésimes group acquired it in 1987. The estate brought new technical facilities into service in 2022 and inaugurated a second underground ageing cellar in September 2007, with 2007 being the first vintage aged there. Château Pichon Longueville Baron holds HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification.

The appellations

Château Pichon Longueville Baron produces its wines under the Pauillac appellation. A white wine is also produced under the Bordeaux appellation.

Winemaking and ageing

The property is equipped with 26 stainless steel vats and 21 wooden vats for vinification. Around thirty Tava amphorae are also used. Ageing takes place in oak barrels. For the grand vin, barrel ageing is a constant practice. Les Griffons de Pichon Baron is aged for 18 months, 60% in new barrels.

Practical information

Château Pichon Longueville Baron is located at: Château Pichon Longueville Baron, D2, 33250 Pauillac. You can contact the estate by phone at 05 56 73 17 17 or by email at contact@pichonbaron.com. The estate welcomes visitors by appointment, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Cellar-door sales are available.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard spans an area of 73 hectares. The soils consist of fine Garonne gravels. The average age of the vines is 35 years. The red grape varieties are predominantly Cabernet-Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (33%), and Cabernet franc (6%). One parcel is also planted with Sémillon (1%). Harvesting is carried out by hand.

Flagship cuvées

The estate's Grand Vin is Château Pichon Baron, a red wine characterised by an imposing structure and a rich aromatic profile. Recent blends (2019, 2020) highlight a high proportion of Cabernet-Sauvignon. These wines are typically powerful and can display notes of graphite, cedar, dark fruit, and spices, with notable concentration and tannic density. They are renowned for their ageing potential. The estate also produces two red second wines: Les Tourelles de Longueville, created in 1986 and dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, launched in 2012, with a blend composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. More recently, a Sémillon white wine was introduced, marketed under the name Bordeaux Les Griffons de Pichon Baron.