Cru Wine Events: Tasting & Dinner with Pichon Baron
Last week we were delighted to bring together 45 of our clients and friends in the UK for an exclusive tasting evening with the historic Bordeaux estates, Pichon Baron and Suduiraut.
Hosted at Beaufort House, Chelsea, we were expertly introduced to the estates, their history and (most importantly) their wines by Ana Carvalho, Global Brand Ambassador for the estate’s owner AXA Millesimes. Firstly, we were treated to a vertical tasting from the Pauillac second growth of their 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 before being thoroughly spoilt by the delicious 2010. To round off the evening and to finish in grand style, Ana indulged us with a glass or two of the 2015 Suduiraut.
"I thought Ana was an excellent and knowledgeable presenter and ambassador for the brand. The organisation and delivery of the event was superb and always nice to see a strong line up of vintages, not always the case. Thank you for your hospitality. "
A huge thank you to Ana Carvalho for guiding us so graciously and informatively through the vintages and putting up with all our questions, and to Les Vin de Crus who helped to supply to the wines on offer direct from the châteaux.
Speaking after the event, Grace Bowler, Senior Marketing Manager said, “It was fantastic to host our second tasting evening of the year with two incredible chateaux’s and be able showcase their wines to our clients and guests. Ana did an incredible job of delving into the stories and history of the estates, along with her encyclopaedic knowledge of the wines! We are very much looking forward to hosting further events like this for our clients soon.”
It was a stellar line up of vintages from Pichon Baron which made for a fascinating vertical tasting. Our Senior Sales Manager Alex Weller made sure he had his notepad with him and you can read his tasting notes from the event below.
The 2019 Pichon Baron was seamless and balanced with ultra-polished tannins and a striking purity. Gliding across the palate it is remarkably silky, even its youth. Huge potential. While many of us agreed the 2010 stole the show, I suspect in 10 years’ time this wine come up trumps to be ‘Wine Of The Night’ more often than not.
2018 felt brooding in comparison, clearly one built for the long haul. A slumbering giant that will reward those who have the patience to wait or the ability to forget about their case(s) for some years.
The 2017 Pichon Baron is open and expressive, it lacks the concentration and depth of the other vintages, but delivers the hallmark Pauillac profile. Perfectly serviceable claret and certainly quaffable.
2016 Pichon Baron has plums and cassis wrapped in pencil lead and graphite, Pauillac heaven and a benchmark for what can be achieved in this commune.
Unsurprisingly, my ‘Wine Of The Night’ was the 2010 Pichon Baron. Epic. Just coming into its long drinking window now, having shed its puppy fat. The oak has taken a back seat allowing the perfectly ripe fruit to shine, which is beginning to show signs of development; baked blackcurrants and plums are supported by cigar box and sandalwood, then hints of bramble, forest floor and truffle come to the fore. An archetypal Pauillac and a perfect balancing act of power and grace.
Imperial Dinner Evening
The following evening, a lucky group of 20 clients made their way to Medlar Restaurant in Chelsea to be wined and dined in fine style.
Once again we were joined by Ana Carvalho to talk us through the wines we were tasting, which had been expertly paired with the menu.
It was a decadent evening as we enjoyed Imperial formats (6L) of the 2015 Griffons de Pichon Baron and 2015 Pichon Baron with our starter, the 2005 and 1988 Pichon Baron with our mains and rounded off in style with 2005 Suduiraut with dessert. The food was exquisite, as were the wines, a huge thank you to Medlar and the chateaux for their hospitality.
Look out for our future events coming soon!
