Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 2005

Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2005 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is brilliant and is drinking spectacularly well today, with notes of ripe currants, smoked tobacco, crushed stone, and that utterly classic, freshly sharpened pencil Pauillac characteristics that's so hard to find from anywhere else. Ripe, full-bodied, expansive, and seamless, this sexy, opulent, incredibly seductive 2005 will continue to drink well for another 30-40 years if well stored."

The Wine Cellar Insider: "Continuing to edge closer to maturity, this stunner offers everything you want in classic Pauillac. Loaded with tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, red and black currants, forest leaf and smoke, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, tannic and expressive on the nose and palate. It could take 5 years to reach its peak, but with 2 hours in the decanter now, it is already a stunning tasting experience."

Weinwisser: "Würziges, tiefgründiges Bouquet mit viel schwarzen Beeren, Edelhölzern und dunklen Kräutern, herrlich angereifter Pauillac- Wein. Konzentrierter und fleischiger Gaumen mit guter Adstringenz, gut stützenden und festen Tanninen, sehr viel Souplesse mit klarer, mineralischer Linie, enorm lang und substanzreich. Kommt langsam auf den Punkt und kann locker noch 10 bis 15 Jahre auf diesem fantastischen Niveau bleiben."

Decanter: "Weeks of sunshine preceded an entirely healthy harvest, leading to high expectations that have been fulfilled. This is still opaque red in colour, the resplendent black-fruit nose accompanied by toasty oak, though still a bit reserved. Very rich and velvety, it is highly concentrated with lavish tannins. Broad-shouldered and chocolatey, it has moderate acidity and is now beginning to open up, though it remains imposing and a bit monumental. Textured and long."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: "The 2005 Pichon Baron is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-brick in color, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with open-knit scents of blackcurrant pastilles, blackberry preserves, and licorice, with hints of mocha, black truffles, and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is firm, with ripe, grainy tannins, supporting the voluptuous mid-palate fruit, finishing long and decadent. Maturing now, this is a 2005 with great richness and soft acidity. It is delicious right now and should continue to cellar to 2040+."

Wine Spectator: " Offers crushed currant and blackberry on the nose, turning to tar and licorice. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and seamless tannins. Goes on and on. Very, very beautiful. A cross between the 2000 and fabulous 2003."

Jane Anson: "A fine tannic frame, blackberry and cassis fruits, hints of cigar, rosebud and tobacco leaf. You will be able to find more generous examples of the 2005 vintage in Pauillac appellation right now, as there remains some austerity to the tannins through the mid palate, but this is a vintage that has proved stubborn over the past 15 years, and is only just starting to come into its own - I would suggest giving this another few years and then checking back in. 80% new oak. Watch out for bottle variation - a second bottle we opened showed more nuance and generosity. Jean-Rene Matignon technical director."

The Wine Advocate: "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."

Jancis Robinson: "Garnet with brick at the rim. Lovely depth of fruit on the nose – luscious and full. Smoke and cedar as it opens. Round and gourmand on attack with a touch of sweetness but still very fresh. Tannins solid and firm but wrapped in generous fruit. Long, persistent finish. A lot going on."