The 2005 Pichon Baron is in a gorgeous spot right now. Aromatically expressive and open, the 2005 is so expressive. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers, mocha and sweet red cherry fruit all meld together in a creamy, wonderfully expressive Pauillac. A long, persistent finish with terrific saline energy rounds things out in style. The 2005 is a super classic Pichon Baron that delivers so much pleasure.

This 2005 stands out for its powerful mineral-infused expression, beginning with a deep, dense, complex bouquet mixing elements of graphite and fresh fruit as well as a hint of smoke. Crunchy black fruit and notes of mint come to the fore after aeration. The palate is both unctuous and fresh, but also an animal note. The imposing tannic structure has yet to smooth out, but underneath there is remarkable depth and substance. It will take some time for this racy thoroughbred to hit its stride. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2030
Tasted by: Yohan Castaing (at Château Pichon Baron, 08 Dec 2021)
Part of Château Pichon Baron: vertical tasting from 2000-2020

The 2005 Pichon-Baron is showing impressively after 13 years. It boasts intense black cherry, raspberry coulis, graphite and mineral scents that gain intensity in the glass. There is nuance and detail here, perhaps more than any previous release of this Second Growth. The masculine palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and an insistent grip in the mouth, indicative of its long-term intentions. The mineralité surfaces in a second half that demonstrates great tension and energy. There is considerably more length than previous vintages, and superior precision. An outstanding 2005 that deserves several more years in bottle. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château.

Dark red; dense, sweet, cedary nose; rich, ample, generous, concentrated wine, fresh and finely, firmly tannic; a vital, essence of Cabernet Sauvignon cassis to taste, gravel / mineral marked, long and complex, powerful but not forceful, wonderfully fresh, and with great fruit length. A muscular youth at the moment, really needing a decade to mellow, but which will be very satisfying, very classy top notch Pauillac in the long term. 2025-45+

Dark red-ruby. Multidimensional nose offers deep aromas of currant, cedar, coffee, tobacco and minerals. The palate offers a rare combination of sweetness, energy and depth, with superb grip and a layered texture to the flavors of plum, cedar, tobacco and minerals. The finish features sweet, noble tannins and outstanding length. I find this more complete and ultimately more exciting than the 2003, but this will need at least a decade of cellaring. (The 2006 was in the middle of a racking and difficult to taste, but this wine conveyed the same impression of ripeness, energy and structure that my sample did last spring.)

The 2005 Pichon Baron has a dense ruby/purple color, sweet crème de cassis fruit, lots of cedar wood and forest floor, medium to full body, ripe tannin, and a long finish of a good 30+ seconds. This is a beauty and one of the most successful Pauillacs of this vintage. Drink it now through 2035.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)