Wine Advisor
Pibran 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2019 Pibran is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 53% Merlot, harvested from the 18th of September to the 11th of October. It is being aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, for 18 months. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of crushed red and black currants, warm plums and boysenberries with touches of wild thyme, cracked black pepper and moss-covered tree bark. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy red and black fruits, framed by ripe, rounded tannins and loads of freshness, finishing on a minerally note.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2019 Pibran offers up aromas of plums, sweet berries, loamy soil and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, with polished tannins and a succulent core of fruit, it's a charming, giving wine from a cooler site than Pichon Baron, with limestone soils and a higher proportion of Merlot in the blend.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Pibran is aged in 50% new oak and the rest one-year old oak for an intended 18 months. There is a lot of rondeur on the nose, plump and generous with black plum, smoke and tobacco aromas. The palate is assertive and punchy on opening, grippy tannins for Pibran with strong graphite notes permeating that black fruit on the finish. Usually one of the more approachable Pauillac crus, I would afford this 4-5 years in bottle. Old school in the positive sense of the expression.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A firm, silky red with blackberry and chocolate character. Medium to full body and round tannins. Balanced and fine for this chateau.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Aromas of black cherries, blackberries, cloves, black tea, wet earth and graphite. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, smooth tannins. Nicely balanced, with a compact core of dark fruit. Try in 2025.
About the Producer
The birth of Chateau Pibran dates back to the start of the 20th century. The estate was bought in 1941 by Paul Pibran Billa. Paul Pibran Billa renamed the property, using his middle name of Pibran. From that day forward the estate was known as Chateau Pibran.Chateau Pibran was purchased by the AXA group in 1987 from the Billa family. At the time of the purchase, Jean Michel Cazes of Chateau Lynch Bages was placed in charge of managing the estate for AXA.In 2001, the AXA group enlarged the estate with the purchase of additional vines in Pauillac when they obtained the neighboring estate, Chateau La Tour Pibran from the Gounel family. The 17-hectare vineyard of Chateau Pibran is planted to 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The Petit Verdot was removed and replaced by the Cabernet Franc. With that much Merlot planted in their vineyards, Chateau Pibran has perhaps the largest percentage of Merlot in Pauillac.
