Pichon Baron is the most photographed Chateau in Bordeaux and produced good, occasionally brilliant, wines from the 60s to 80s. Since the purchase of Pichon Baron in 1988 by AXA Millesimes, the property has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most consistent in quality and fair in value. The quality achieved from this grand terrior is constantly biting at the heels of next door neighbour Latour. Under the stewardship of Christian Seely this estate has shown itself to be one of the most consistently high-performing Chateaux in Pauillac, if not the whole of the Medoc. The improvements began under the auspices of Jean-Michel Cazes (of Lynch Bages fame) culminating in the sensational 1989/90 combination; they continued and indeed arguably picked up further pace in 2000 when the charming, bow-tie-sporting Christian Seely took over. Since then the estate has moved to a new level, with the most significant change being the accurate identification of the most appropriate plots across the estate for each of their wines. Whilst this has inevitably reduced the potential volume, the quality of fruit which now goes into the Grand Vin is so exceptional that Pichon Baron can be considered a true paragon of Pauillac. As Neal Martin states “the wines of Pichon-Baron certainly rank with some of the best in Pauillac... This is undoubtedly a château that has really found its own identity since the late-80's and under the aegis of Christian Seely, is asserting itself as a Pauillac wine to be reckoned with.”
