A Journey Through Pauillac: An Evening with Château Pichon Baron
There was no better way to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse than with an exceptional wine tasting at Hi-Time Wine Cellars. I had been meaning to attend one of their events for quite some time, and this special Tuesday evening tasting felt like perfect timing. I’m so glad I did — it turned out to be one of those rare wine experiences that rekindles exactly why I fell in love with wine in the first place. For me, this was also a great way to taste Left Bank Bordeaux wines and Cabernet Sauvignon from Pauillac since I have yet to visit the region. I was excited to participate in this event the moment I found out about this.
An Evening at Hi-Time Wine Cellars
Tucked away in Costa Mesa, Hi-Time has long been a haven for serious collectors and curious enthusiasts alike. But this particular event felt extra special: a guided tasting hosted by Château Pichon Baron brand ambassador Pauline.
For just $50, we were treated to a flight of seven wines and a thoughtfully curated charcuterie plate — an exceptional value considering the pedigree of the bottles poured. More importantly, the evening was structured, educational, and deeply engaging. Pauline didn’t just pour wine; she told a story.
A Fresh Start: Bordeaux Blanc Sec
We began the evening with a glass of 2023 Lions de Suduiraut Blanc Sec — a vibrant Bordeaux blanc sec that immediately set the tone. Bright citrus, white peach, and subtle floral notes were layered over crisp acidity and a clean mineral finish.
Knowing that this wine comes from the team behind Château Suduiraut made it even more compelling. It was a refreshing contrast to the powerful reds that would follow and a reminder that Bordeaux whites — particularly from strong Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blends — deserve far more attention than they often receive.
A Deep Dive into Pauillac — Through Time
The highlight of the evening was a vertical tasting of Pauillac vintages:
2009
2015
2018
2019
Tasting these wines side-by-side was a masterclass in how time, climate, and vintage variation shape expression.
2009 Pauillac
The 2009 is a “showy” opulent wine, it immediately grabs your attention with dark cherries and blackberries, strong spicy notes but also earthy soil-clay character. A very complex wine whose character evolve through the evening and would go great with a nice piece of steak.
See my wine reviews here at Vivino
How Pauillac wines age over time
While the 2009 showed generosity and opulence, the 2015 felt structured yet balanced, with elegance woven into its power. This was by far one of my favorites in the vertical flight, Pauline described this wine like a big bear hugging you, a much more approachable wine and for those who are more familiar with cabernet sauvignon, this is definitely coming out more prominently here.
The 2018 brought intensity — deeper color, concentrated fruit, and a more muscular frame with spices and minerality balanced each other. Finally, the 2019 stood out for me as I was getting a lot of coffee notes and cacao aromas. This wine offered freshness and precision in contrast to other vintages, with vibrant acidity and finely etched tannins that promise longevity.
What struck me most was how the core identity of Pauillac — that graphite minerality, cassis backbone, and structured Cabernet Sauvignon character — remained consistent, while the personality shifted with each vintage. It was like watching the same protagonist evolve across chapters of a novel.
Pauline’s commentary elevated the experience. She walked us through the estate’s history, vineyard practices, and the evolution of winemaking decisions over the years as they adjusted to climate challenges. Understanding the château’s philosophy added dimension to every sip. Pauline also made sure to make a connection with each group at the tasting to hear their thoughts about the wine. Since I came as a sole attendee, it was nice to be able to make that connection with her.
A Sweet Finale: Sauternes
We concluded with a glass of Sauternes dessert wine — a luminous expression of Sémillon in an entirely different register. Honeyed apricot, marmalade, floral notes, and that unmistakable botrytis complexity layered over vibrant acidity. After tasting structured Pauillac reds, this was a beautiful reminder of Bordeaux’s diversity and versatility.
The contrast was striking: from powerful, age-worthy Cabernet-driven blends to the golden, luscious elegance of Sauternes. Two expressions, same broader region, entirely different experiences.
Best Wine Tasting Event in Costa Mesa
What made this evening memorable wasn’t just the lineup — though it was impressive — but the format. It was moderated, paced, and thoughtfully designed to build knowledge progressively. It felt less like a casual tasting and more like a guided exploration of terroir, history, and time - an educational insight into the Bordeaux wine region history.
For $50, the depth of education and quality of wines made this one of the best value tastings I’ve attended recently. Kudos to the team for organizing and curating such an exceptional guided wine tasting experience. I would personally be back again for another one of Hi-Time’s events!
Even more than the wines themselves, I left with a renewed appreciation for how context transforms experience. When you understand the land, the history, and the decisions behind the bottle, every glass becomes more meaningful. It reminded me why I fell in love with wine in the first place.
Here’s to more evenings where wine isn’t just tasted — it’s understood. 🍷
