Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 2009

The 2009 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a delicious second label from Pichon Baron. The nose is straight-down-the-line, classic, pencil box-infused black fruit, not powerful but actually quite classic in style. Indeed, to my surprise that palate appears to have firmed up since I last tasted it, lost some of that puppy fat and turned into a delightful if conservative (for the vintage) Pauillac. Factor in price and you are onto a winner. Enjoy now but don't be afraid to tuck away a couple of bottles because it has commendable substance. Tasted January 2017.

By Lisa Perrotti-Brown March 2017