The Pichon-Longueville Estate was founded in 1694 by Baron Jacques Pichon-Longueville after he wed Thérèse de Rauzan, whose father was a major wine merchant and steward to the Latour and Margaux Châteaux. Monsieur de Rauzan had purchased the premium land, running alongside the Latour Estate, and he included it in part of Thérèse’s dowry. The grand estate remained in the family for several generations. In 1850, the estate was split into two when the Baron Raoul’s sisters took their inheritance and created the neighboring, Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Not to be outdone, the Baron continued making world-class wines under the revised Pichon-Longueville Baron name and commissioned the magnificent Renaissance-style château, with its imposing turrets, in 1851. During Napoleon III’s Universal Exhibition of 1855, the wines of Bordeaux were classified, and Pichon-Longueville was designated a Second Cru Classé. In 1987, AXA Millésimes purchased the family estate and have continued to be dedicated to maintaining the world-class quality the château is known for while installing state-of-the-art equipment, a new production facility and renovating the cellar.

 

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is situated in the village of Pauillac on the left bank of the River Gironde. Just 40 kilometers north of the city of Bordeaux, Pauillac is celebrated as arguably the greatest village of the Médoc as it boasts three of the five First-Growths including Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton-Rothschild. The Pichon-Baron estate runs adjacent to Latour and delivers a terroir that knows few equals. The 30-hectares on the estate’s advantageously situated plateau is devoted entirely to the Château’s Grand Vin. Its roughly 30-year-old vines are rooted in quaternary gravel deposits, large pebbles, and sand that has an ideal aspect. Yields are very low, and grapes are hand-harvested and are macerated separately, according to varietal and parcel, for 20-30 days. The fruit is fermented in the climate-controlled stainless steel of various sizes then transferred to predominantly new oak from only the best forests in France. Once in barrel, the wine finishes malolactic fermentation, ages for 18-20 months and is racked every 3-4 months using the traditional candle method to separate the wine from its lees. The true art is found in the blending. Each vintage demands something different, but this château conducts its true masterpiece each year – capturing both individuality and consistency of quality. The final result is a wine that can compete with the rare First-Growths for a relatively remarkable value.