Appellations

Haut Bailly 2013

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2013 Haut Bailly is a cut above many Pessac-Léognan wines this year. It is bestowed an engaging, red cherry, strawberry and iodine-scented bouquet that unfolds in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with quite bold tannin for the vintage, but here there is the fruit to back it up and there is real density on the ferrous finish. "Team Sanders" has made a considered, harmonious and very agreeable wine for the vintage, even if it might pale against other recent releases. Just 2,000 cases this vintage. Last tasted at the property in March 2016 and you know, it might well garner a higher evaluation with bottle age.

Score: 90 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2030 Date: 28 October 2016

The 2013 Château Haut Bailly is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc picked 1 to 10 October, cropped at 20.6hl/ha. The grand vin represents 40% of the crop and it saw 55% new oak (though Véronique Sanders told me that it may undergo a shorter élevage). It comes in at 12.8% alcohol. It has a clean pleasant bouquet, defined but perhaps missing the usual flair and exuberance, which is typical of the vintage. The palate is structured with a firm grip, a slight saltiness in the background. There is tightly packed black fruit here and it builds nicely to a masculine, tobacco-tinged finish. I will happily drink this over the next ten years whilst I await the 2009 and 2010 to come round. Tasted March 2014.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 01 April 2014

A firm and juicy wine with dried berry, sweet tobacco and cedar character. Medium to full body, with fine tannins and a pretty finish. Iodine. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Tiny production.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 April 2014

Dense purple-red, cassis nose with hints of wild roses, good vineyard fruit, tannins a bit raw still.

Score: 90 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2018-2028 Date: 01 April 2014

Cedar, tobacco, light black fruit and incredibly high tannins that totally overwhelm the rest of the structure. They aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and leave the wine quite unapproachable. It might resolve with significant bottle age, but will the relatively light concentration have equivalent staying power? (14.5)

Score: 14 - 15 Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2028 Date: 01 April 2014

Almost succulent, with dark plum and red currant fruit married to the singed apple wood and blackberry paste notes. Features a pleasant, anise-lined finish that shows good grip. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2014

Pure black berries on the nose, followed by some tarriness. The palate is smooth at first and filled with fresh black plums, tar and smoky notes but the tannins the tannins dry out the palate and the finish is toasty but very dry indeed.

Score: 89 - 92 Albany Vintners, - Date: 01 April 2014