The 2019 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron represents 23% of the production this year, aged in 60% new oak and the rest in one-year old oak for an intended 18 months. The opulence of the growing season comes through strongly on the nose with lavish black cherries, pressed iris petals and cedar aromas that are accentuated with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, the black fruit laced with liquorice and a very discrete Earl Grey tincture. Well balanced with plenty of girth and grip on the finish, it is a little flashier than the Grand Vin and will give a lot of drinking pleasure over 20 years.

The 2019 Les Griffons de Pichon-Baron marries drive and finesse, all in a stylish wine that speaks with eloquence. Black cherry, licorice, smoke, leather, tobacco and chocolate build as the Griffons reveals its weight and persistence. The resonant, substantial finish rounds things out nicely. Les Griffons is a serious wine with real potential.

59% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel sample. More Merlot than usual so broader and less linear with an added touch of sweetness. Pleasing dark-fruit aromatics with a mineral edge. Good density of mid-palate fruit and firm tannic drive but a less typical Griffons this year. (JL)

Full bottle 1,351 g. 59% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in barriques (60% new). Low-acid vintage. Designed to be drunk between 3 and 10 years from the harvest. Firm mid crimson. Approachable sweet Pauillac with a certain mineral stoniness underneath. Dry finish. Lots of mineral qualities. Serve this relatively warm as there is still a tannic framework. (JR)