Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2001

DECANTER: "Although in the shadow of the millennial vintage, 2001s can be just as good (and on the right bank arguably better). This has a very deep, unevolved colour. The nose has sweet, charming, berry fruit with mint, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. It´s rich and svelte on the palate, concentrated and juicy with fine underlying tannins. There´s an intense sucrosity but with no trace of jamminess. The very long aftertaste is silky with fine, lifted acidity. This is a stylish wine that´s now beginning to show maturity."

WEINWISSER: "Würziges, frisches, elegantes Bouquet, Cassis, Korinthen, Tabak, fein Lakritze. Ausgewogener, klassischer Gaumen mit eleganter Struktur, kräftiger Struktur, langer, aromatischer Abgang. 18/20 trinken - 2030"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very deep crimson with pale rim. Exciting depth and nerve on the nose with some suggestion of meat extract and green leaves. Round fruit, sumptuous texture and real grip at the end from a charge of impressively ripe tannins."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A very successful effort for this vintage in the Medoc, this deep ruby/purple-colored Pauillac exhibits class/nobility/breed along with black currant liqueur, licorice, and incense notes. Sweet, expansive, fleshy, and medium to full-bodied, with good structure, ripe tannin, and a long, 30-35 second finish, it can be drunk now, but will be even better in 2-3 years; it will last for 12-15 years. I had this wine three separate times out of bottle, and it is performing significantly better than it did from cask."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 93 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is really starting to come on strong. The ripe, sweet, juicy cassis and blackberries are right where you need them to be. The tobacco, cigar box, thyme and spice show up exactly when needed. There is good freshness and energy in the wine and the tannins are ripe. With an hour or so in the decanter, this is really a treat to drink today."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is complex and beautiful now with liquorice and currant, with delicate sweet tobacco character on the nose and palate. Medium-to-full body with subtle, entrancing flavors and textures. So right now. Almost a soya undertone to the subtle fruit. A gorgeous claret at its peak."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Dark-colored, with floral and lanolin aromas with hints of fruit. Full-bodied, with chunky tannins and a long finish. A bit short and austere. Needs bottle age to show its full potential. Best after 2007."