95 Robert Parker
2008: A sleeper of the vintage, the 2008 Pichon Longueville Baron is one of the densest, most concentrated wines of Pauillac in 2008. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, blackberries, charcoal, coffee and licorice. Exceptionally full-bodied with velvety tannins and undeniable appeal, this gorgeous, well-proportioned, larger than life 2008 should age effortlessly for two decades or more. With the realistic pricing that remains for many 2008s, this is a no-brainer.
18 Rene Gabriel
71 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 29 % Merlot. 52 % grand vin. 36 hl/ha. Dunkles Granat-Rubin, lila Rand. Floral-fruchtiges Bouquet, Rosenpfeffer, rote Johannisbeeren, feine Edelholznote, klar ausgerichtet. Langer, feiner Gaumen, gut stützende Muskeln im mittelgewichtigen Körper, viel Rasse durch eine vielleicht momentan etwas dominierende Säure, elegant aber doch eher schlank endend. Ein zweites Muster zeigt sich etwas fülliger mit etwas mehr Süsse. Aufgerundet:
91 Wine Spectator
This is solidly packed for the vintage, with dark currant, fig and graphite notes framed by bittersweet cocoa, espresso and iron. Still a touch chunky on the finish, but the structure is fine-grained and this should settle in nicely with modest cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2019. –JM