Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1998

1998 Pichon-Baron 

18 JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very firm and vigorous with lots of purple in the crimson and admirable freshness and structure still evident but clearly resolved enough, and ripe enough, to enjoy already. Both supple and subtle but still quite youthful. A success." 

18 RENÈ GABRIEL'S BX TOTAL: "Tiefes, kräftiges, fruchtiges, samtenes Bouquet mit schwarze Beeren, Korinthen, Pflaumen, Rauch, Edelhölzer. Kraftvoller, aromatischer, samtener Gaumen mit guter, voller Frucht, gutem Tannin, kräftiger, dunkler Aromatik, sehr langer, aromatischer Abgang. 18/20 trinken - 2025" 

92 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Still tannic at 17 years of age, but there is a lot to like about the wine. It's deep, concentrated and long, with freshness, flavor and intensity. There is a firmness to the tannins that reminds me a good version of a 1986 Pauillac." 

90 THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A definitive Pauillac, the dense purple-colored 1998 Pichon-Baron offers up a sweet bouquet of licorice, smoke, asphalt, blackberries, and creme de cassis. In the mouth, the wine is elegant rather than full-blown, with medium body, sweet fruit, nice texture on the attack and mid-palate, and moderate tannin in the long finish. No, this is not as profound as the 1996, 1990 or 1989, but it is an outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020."