1996 Chateau Pichon Baron

典型 Pauillac 力道：黑果、煙草與咖啡香，結構分明、餘韻悠長。

【為什麼選它？】
1) 歷史園地 -> 底層為深層礫石土，帶來緊實礦感與支撐，越陳越耐喝。
2) 可靠陳年力 -> 1855 年列級酒莊身分，結構適合長期進化，開瓶後層次豐富。
3) 橡木輔助到位 -> 15 個月橡木陳年帶來香料與雪松調性，但不蓋過果味。

【侍酒師私房筆記】
倒出後先讓它呼吸半小時：黑櫻桃與黑醋栗先現身，接着是皮革、煙燻與烘焙咖啡的中段；單寧結實但不生硬，能感到甘油的厚度讓口感更圓潤。這瓶適合配有骨的厚切牛排或節慶大餐，冷氣房裡慢慢品，越喝越有層次。

【田間與釀造】
酒莊：Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron（1855 年列級二級）。園地為深礫石土壤，園長 Aymeric Hervy 監督栽培，釀酒師 Alexandra Lebossé 掌舵。酒液於法國橡木桶中熟成約 15 個月，以軟木塞封瓶。生產風格偏向經典、可陳年。

【場景化配餐指南】
週末高質家庭燒烤、朋友聚會大塊牛扒、公司尾牙或與熟成羊奶芝士配搭都很合適。

【降維打擊對比】
比超級一級名莊更具性價比：同樣的 Pauillac 味感與結構，但入手更實惠，能給你經典 Bordeaux 的尊嚴與收藏感，而不必負擔天價。

Soul Hook: A classic Pauillac with refined power — tobacco, roasted coffee and black fruit stitched into a long, savory finish.

Why choose it?
1) Historic terroir -> Deep gravel soils give the wine focused minerality and backbone, so it keeps evolving in bottle.
2) Proven ageability -> Classified 2ème Grand Cru Classé and built for long cellaring: structured now, rewards patience.
3) Balanced oak regimen -> 15 months in barrels adds spice and cedar without masking the core fruit.

Sommelier's private note: Decanted 30–60 minutes brings forward a wave of cassis and dark plum, then savoury layers of saddle leather, tobacco and espresso. Medium–full, concentrated and firm: the tannins grip but glycerin and ripe black fruit soften the edges. Best served with a robust beef course or mature cheese during cool evenings.

Winemaking & Vineyard: From Château Pichon-Longueville Baron (2ème Grand Cru Classé), owned by AXA Millésimes. Vineyard on deep gravel soils, managed by Aymeric Hervy; vinified under winemaker Alexandra Lebossé. Aged 15 months in oak, cork closure. Drinking window (producer): 2009–2040.

Occasions: Ideal for celebratory dinners, steakhouse nights, cellar tasting with friends or as a statement bottle for festive Cantonese banquets.

Competitive edge: Offers the Pauillac pedigree and long-term aging potential of first-growth neighbours but at a comparatively better value — classic structure with more accessible mid-term drinking.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 13%
• Decant Time: 30–60 minutes
• Taste: black fruit, cassis, tobacco, leather, roasted coffee, cedar, smoke, earthy, spice, firm tannins, glycerin, long finish
• Food Matching: Beef (ribeye, sirloin, bone-in cuts), Venison and game, Mature hard cheeses (e.g. Lincolnshire Poacher), Hearty braised beef or oxtail
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 80%, Merlot : 20%, Cabernet Franc , Petit Verdot , Malbec ,

Winery

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron：Pauillac 的二級列級名莊，園地以深礫石聞名。由園長 Aymeric Hervy 與釀酒師 Alexandra Lebossé 管理，酒款以約 15 個月橡木桶陳年為主，風格經典、適合儲藏。現為 AXA Millésimes 所有。

Château Pichon-Longueville Baron — a historic 2ème Grand Cru Classé estate in Pauillac. Deep gravel plots, traditional Bordeaux vinification overseen by winemaker Alexandra Lebossé and viticulturist Aymeric Hervy. Owned by AXA Millésimes; wines aged in oak (15 months) and built for long-term evolution.