Chateau Pichon Baron
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Pichon-Baron is a stately house, known to the knowing masses as a "Super Second", much as its neighbor and estranged sibling Pichon-Lalande. Baron is the firmer, more masculine of the two in style, as a result of a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. With increased measures taken over the last several decades, Baron has been restored to its historical glory, a beacon of excellence.
Pichon-Baron and Pichon-Lalande (Comtesse) were borne of the death of Baron Joseph de Pichon-Longueville in 1850. The estate was then split into the two children - Virginie and Raoul. The latter inherited the Baron title, while Virginie married the Comte de Lalande, and thus, two top estates.
What separates the two, other than a short distance, is the overall blend; Pichon-Lalande is known to have a larger portion of Merlot (about 35% planted versus 25% for Baron), and the wines have historically been made in a more delicate fashion, focusing less on extraction than on fine tannins and aromatics. Pichon-Baron had a period of down years in the early 20th century, but rebounded strongly with new investment in the 1980s. Certainly Cabernet Sauvignon plays a larger role for Pichon-Baron, and it is preferred by many who like a firmer structure - and a slower development - in comparison to the earlier-approachable Lalande.
Today, both are viewed as top Bordeaux houses, not too far away in proximity - or stylistic excellence - from Latour.
