Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron |
| Newstime：2009-08-04 09:15:55 Befrom： Writer： |
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历史
The seeds of the creation of the Pichon domaine, which was split to form the two Pichons of today, Baron and Lalande, may be found in the late 17th Century, when Jacques de Pichon-Longueville married Thérèse de Rauzan, daughter of Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. Jacques was descended from François de Pichon and Catherine de Bavolier, the family having assumed the Barony of Longueville when their son, Bernard, married Anne Daffis de Longueville in 1646. Bernard and his consort had two children, François, who by marriage took on the Barony of Parempuyre, and the aforementioned Jacques. The Rauzan family was not newcomers to viticulture, having already owned vineyards in Margaux, and in 1689 had purchased several plots in Pauillac which, when they came to the Pichon family, were to be the foundation for the Pichon vineyard. In later years these were augmented by the exchange of plots of vines with neighbouring Latour. The estate quickly developed an excellent reputation, second only, at least within the boundaries of the commune, to its more illustrious neighbour. Jacques died in 1731 and the property was inherited by his son, also Jacques, and it passed through two more generations of the Pichon family, Jean-Pierre and then Joseph. Born in 1755, it was Joseph who held tenure during the French Revolution, which saw him incarcerated for a short period of time. He was also the last member of the Pichon family who held sway over all the vines, as upon his death the estate was divided between his children, creating the Pichon faux jumeaux that we know today. Of the five offspring, only one son remained; this was Raoul, who assumed the title of Baron, and would seem to be the heir apparent. Under new Napoleonic laws, however, the estate could not pass intact to a sole recipient, but must be divided between all possible heirs. And so two shares, including that which would have passed to their late son Louis, came to Raoul, and thus the Pichon-Baron die was cast. The remaining three shares passed to the daughters, these vineyards forming the nexus of Chateau Pichon-Lalande.Raoul de Pichon-Longueville had the old manor house demolished and a fine chateau (left) built in its place in 1851. Writing in Grands Vins, Clive Coates asserts that the chateau was modelled on Azay-le-Rideau pictured above, and we for one can see (some) resemblance, the witch's hat turrets being the most characteristic feature of each I think. Under his tenure the Pichon-Baron estate (and also Pichon-Lalande, for the two portions were run as a single business for several years after their supposed separation) was deemed to be of second growth quality in the 1855 classification. It seems that it was only upon his death in 1860 that the division was final, with one of the sisters taking the helm single-handed at Lalande, whilst Pichon-Baron passed to Raoul's cousin, another Raoul. By 1933, however, the family had run out of potential heirs, and the last surviving member sold the estate to the Bouteillier family. Under their management Pichon-Baron continued to enjoy a good reputation, the estate already having survived the succession of devastation that was mildew, Phylloxera, war and depression. But the death of Jean Bouteillier in 1961 marked a decline in the Baron's fortunes. Jean's children were young and inexperienced, and there was a deficit of leadership and investment.
Through the 1970s and 1980s it was clear that the wines made at Chateau Pichon-Baron lacked the quality that is expected of a second growth. Fermentation temperatures were uncontrolled, macerations were excessively lengthy, and the wine was bottled in the courtyard with no control over the environment. This was the state of affairs when Jean-Michel Cazes (he of Lynch-Bages, and other properties such as Les Ormes de Pez) and AXA Millésimes became involved, with the purchase of the property completing in 1987. AXA Millésimes (who have an admirable portfolio, including Chateau Suduiraut in Sauternes) had huge capability for investment and it was no surprise that there were many changes at Chateau Pichon-Baron. The chai wasn't just renovated; it was completely rebuilt, using a design by architects Patrick Dillon and Jean de Gastines, after the pair won a competition for the best design. The new buildings face each other across the fish pool in front of the chateau, and yet they are hardly noticeable as they are sunk into the ground. The cellars themselves extend beneath the pool in front of the chateau, the cool waters above helping to moderate the temperatures below. The chateau itself, always under-utilised, was renovated, although sadly it remains unoccupied. The result of this investment has been a heady rise in quality, and Pichon-Baron now challenges Pichon Lalande where previously, there was simply no competition.
Today Pichon Baron is managed by Christian Seely, Jean-Michel Cazes having retired from this role in 2000. By this point, the reputation of Pichon-Baron had already been restored, with a string of admirable wines produced particularly during the latter years of the preceding decade. A newly equipped chai completed in 1991, a new bottling line and new practices in the cellars were the cornerstone of the improvements, although the march onwards did not stop there. It was to my disappointment that, on espying the chateau in late 2006, it bore a greater resemblance to a building site than a fairytale castle. But the chateau was untouched; the work concerned the cellars beneath the shimmering pool that lies in front of the chateau. More work, more improvements, more investment. With continued commitment we should see more great wines from Pichon-Baron over the coming years.
Nowadays’ owner: AXA Millésimes
Administrator: Christian Seely
Technique Information
Location: Just opposite Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Latour, on the road leading from Saint Julien to Pauillac.
Appellation: Appellation Pauillac Controlee
Neighboring Chateau: Chateau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande(2nd Growth of Pauillac in 1855)
Chateau Latour(1st Growth of Pauillac in 1855)
Acreage: 70 hectares
Soil: gravelly soil
Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Average age of vines: 30 years
Cultivation Density: 9000 plants per hectares
Viticulture: Pruning: double Guyot; Green havest, leaf pruning, harvest by hand, destemming 100%
Winemaking: Vats: stainless steel; Maceration period: 20 to 30 days; Fermentation period: 15days; Temperature of fermentation: 28-32℃; Malolactic Fermentation: in barrels and in vats; Racking: every 3 months; Fining: egg white
Yield: 45 hl/ha
Brand: Chateau Pichon-Baron(First Label)(A.O.C Pauillac)
Les Tourelles de Longueville(Second Label)(A.O.C Pauillac)
Annually production: Chateau Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville(First Label): 24000 cases
Les Tourelles de Longueville (Second Label): 12000 cases
Character: Chateau Pichon-Longueville wines are full-bodied, with bountiful tannins. They are characterized by their great finesse and elegance. On the palate, their length is exceptional and they boast an excellent cellaring potential.
Best Vintages: 1982, 1985, ﹡1986 , ﹡1988 , ﹡1989, ﹡1990 , 1995, 1996, ﹡2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Awards: 2nd Growth of Pauillac in 1855
Website: www.pichonlongueville.com
Serving Suggestion
Cellar Humidity and Temperature: 70%, 15 ℃
Serving Temperature: 18 °C
Optimum drinking and ageing potential: 10-20 years
Food match:
Western Food: Red meat, Red meat game, Foie gras, Mushroom dishes，Cheese(sanit Nectaire, Edam, Gouda). Excellent with all red meats and game.
Next Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pre Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou
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