18 Rene Gabriel
70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 28 % Merlot, 2 % Petit Verdot. 37 hl/ha. Dunkles Violett-Lila. Klares Cabernet-Fruchtbouquet, recht fein im Ansatz, Palisandernoten, zarter Rauchtouch der die Tiefe anzeigt. Hoch feiner Gaumen, Lakritzenoten, sattes, fleischiges Extrakt in der Mitte, trotz seiner Eleganz zeit der Wein auch eine tolle Rasse, endet lange. Wird so genial werden wie sein eigener 98er und kann dann 19/20 erreichen. Primeurwertung: 18/20. 08: Kurz vor der Abfüllung: Wie bei der Primeurverkostung ein Pauilac voler Finessen, somit eher einem delikaten St. Julien gleichend, im Innern aber viel Kraft, Rasse und Länge.
92 Robert Parker
Closed but promising, this is a tannic, masculine style of wine in 2006, with an inky bluish/purple color as well as aromas of incense, charcoal, smoked meats, and the classic creme de cassis that one finds in the top Pauillacs. The aromatics are still retrained, but the wine is full-bodied in the mouth, tannic, backward, and set for a relatively long life. This is not one of the profound wines from Pichon Longueville Baron, but it is certainly a top-flight success for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028.
92 Wine Spectator
There's an excellent dark color to this, with blowsy, rich aromas of crushed blackberry and currant. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. The center palate will fill in with time. This has lovely balance. Best after 2014. ?JS