Château Pichon Baron, a distinguished estate in Bordeaux, has introduced a new white cuvée to its offerings.
The esteemed Pauillac cru classé revealed that the inaugural vintage of its white wine, sourced from the 2023 harvest, will be available starting in October through a select group of négociants.
Named Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Grand Vin Blanc Sec, this wine is crafted entirely from Semillon and will retail for prices ranging from £45 to £48 per bottle.
The estate previously conducted a massal selection of Semillon from its sister vineyard, Château Suduiraut in Sauternes, back in 2018.
The cuttings were grafted onto two-decade-old vines situated in a cool, chalky area of the Pichon Baron estate in Pauillac, specifically in a vineyard area referred to as ‘Boua’.
The wine was produced through whole bunch pressing and subsequently vinified in barrels that had been used for one year. It did not undergo malolactic fermentation and was aged in oak for nine months with regular stirring of the lees.
Due to the existing limitations imposed by current classification laws, it will be bottled under the designation of AOC Bordeaux Blanc Sec.
‘We are extremely pleased with the outcome, which reaffirms our confidence in the quality, character, and uniqueness of the Semillon we chose, as well as our belief in the quality and suitability of this plot for producing high-quality dry white wine,’ stated the estate.
The announcement from Pichon Baron marks yet another addition to a growing trend among Médoc estates that are expanding their range to include white wines.
Recently, it was revealed that Château d’Issan was in the process of harvesting grapes for its first white cuvée this season, although these grapes are varieties more commonly associated with the Rhône region rather than Bordeaux.
Additionally, Decanter has explored the potential establishment of a new appellation for Médoc blanc, which is currently being considered.