Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019 Review

Let me make a confession—I went into the last weekend of 2025 desperately needing a wine that matched my “treat yourself” mentality. After flipping through options online, I landed on the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019, a bottle that had been sitting on my wish list for months. This second wine from the legendary Pichon Baron estate has quite the reputation in Bordeaux circles, and I wondered if it would live up to all that fancy-sounding French prestige.

After uncorking it during a dinner with my boyfriend and his wine-savvy parents (no pressure, right?), I discovered that the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019 sits in that sweet spot between serious collector’s item and actually enjoyable drink. Six years after its vintage date, this 2019 is really starting to show its character. But is this Bordeaux beauty worth the $59.77 price tag? Let’s spill the details.

First Impressions – Is This Fancy Bordeaux Worth The Splurge?

After my first sip of the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons, I immediately knew I’d made an amateur mistake—I hadn’t decanted it. The wine was tight and closed, practically begging for air. After about 45 minutes of breathing (and me impatiently swirling my glass), it finally started opening up beautifully. Lesson learned: with a structured Bordeaux like this, decanting isn’t optional, it’s mandatory.

Let me break down my overall impression with a quick rating and highlights:

Rating: 8.2/10

Price: $59.77 (via Wine.com)

Pros:

• Gorgeous velvety texture that feels luxurious
• Complex layered flavor that keeps you sipping
• Impressive balance between fruit and structure
• Aging potential—this 2019 will continue improving for years

Cons:

• Requires patience and decanting (at least an hour)
• Might be too powerful for those who prefer lighter styles

Taste Profile: What’s Actually In The Glass

The Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons reveals itself layer by layer. The color alone is worth mentioning—a deep ruby with slight garnet edges that hint at its gradual development. On the nose, there’s an immediate burst of black currant and cedar, backed by subtle notes of vanilla and a hint of pencil shavings (that classic Bordeaux graphite character).

When it comes to flavor, this wine doesn’t hold back. The first sip delivers concentrated black fruits—think blackberry and dark plum—followed by mocha, espresso, and a touch of tobacco. The oak influence is present but not overwhelming, adding complexity rather than dominating the fruit. There’s a slight earthiness that reminds you this is definitely Old World, not California.

The body is full but not heavy, with those famously well-integrated Pauillac tannins providing structure without being harsh or bitter. What really sells me is the finish—it lingers for nearly a minute with dark chocolate and subtle spice notes. For food pairings, this wine absolutely shines with rare steak or lamb, though we enjoyed it with a mushroom risotto that brought out its earthier notes.

What The Wine Community Is Saying

I’m not the only one feeling positive about this bottle in 2025. The online wine community seems to agree that the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019 is hitting its stride. Most reviewers on Wine.com gave it between 90-93 points, noting the excellent balance and aging potential.

Common themes in the reviews include:

• “Excellent value for Bordeaux of this quality”
• “Needs decanting but rewards patience tremendously”
• “More approachable than the grand vin but still has complexity”
• “Perfect balance between modern fruit and traditional structure”

Several reviewers specifically mentioned that while it’s drinking beautifully now in 2025, it still has at least 5-7 more years of positive development ahead. One reviewer called it “the perfect introduction to serious Bordeaux without breaking the bank,” which I think captures it perfectly. While $60 isn’t cheap, it’s actually reasonable considering that Bordeaux pricing has continued climbing throughout the 2020s.

The Verdict: Should You Buy This Bordeaux?

Would I buy the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons again? For a special occasion or impressive dinner party—absolutely. For a random Tuesday night Netflix session? Probably not at this price point. This is what I call a “milestone wine”—perfect for anniversaries, promotions, or those moments when you want something that feels genuinely special without reaching for the $100+ bottles.

This wine would be perfect for:

• Milestone celebrations that deserve something memorable
• Impressing wine-loving friends or in-laws (worked for me!)
• Building a small collection with bottles that will mature gracefully
• A sophisticated gift for someone who appreciates fine wine

Skip this bottle if you’re just getting started with wine appreciation or if bold, structured reds aren’t your thing. At $59.77, there are more accessible entry points to the wine world. Also, if you lack patience for decanting or prefer more fruit-forward styles like you might find in California Cabernet, you might find the Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons initially disappointing.

The bottom line? The Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 2019 proves that “second wines” from top estates can deliver serious quality. Six years after its vintage date, it’s showing beautifully in 2025, with enough complexity to interest seasoned wine lovers while remaining approachable enough for special occasions. Pour it for friends who appreciate the finer things but don’t want a wine that requires a lecture to enjoy.

If you’re on the fence, I’d say grab a bottle from Wine.com for your next special dinner. Just don’t forget to decant it, and maybe pair it with something worthy of its Bordeaux heritage. Your taste buds—and your dinner guests—will thank you. Because sometimes in life, like in wine, you get exactly what you pay for—and this bottle delivers.