2021 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

Slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2021 Les Griffons De Pichon Baron is based on 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has a terrific blue fruit character as well as textbook Pauillac notes of scorched earth, graphite, and a touch of violets. With medium-bodied richness, an elegant mouthfeel, and quality tannins, it's an impeccably made 2021 that's worth seeking out and cellaring for upwards of a decade.

The 2021 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, which contains a little more Petit Verdot than previous vintages and matured in 40% new oak, has a focused, floral bouquet, its dried iris flower notes marrying well with the vibrant black fruit. An underlying sense of classicism surfaces with aeration. The palate is surprisingly fleshy and silky smooth on the entry, a little richer than expected, though it gains more finesse toward the finish. This Les Griffons is a “grower”—charming after 10 minutes in the glass, and it should age well in bottle.