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Haut Bailly 2012

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The 2012 Haut Bailly is brilliant and does nothing to damper my belief that this vintage is underrated in the market. Offering up a classic bouquet of tobacco leaf, cigar wrapper, blackcurrants, lead pencil, and graphite, this beauty is full-bodied, has terrific concentration, integrated acidity and plenty of fine tannins. While it starts out up front and seemingly ready to go, it tightens up with time in the glass and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and drink nicely for two decades. It’s a sensational wine you won’t regret having in your cellar.

Score: 96

Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2021-2041 25 August 2018

The 2012 Haut Bailly is a brilliant wine for the vintage. It has a very intense bouquet with scents of blackberry, bilberry, cedar and a touch of pencil lead. This is very well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, certainly one of the most structured Pessac-Léognan wines that I have encountered, yet it is struck through with wonderful balance and focus. It tightens up a little on the finish, a 2012 built for long-term drinking pleasure, and as such, I would afford it five or six more years in bottle if wishing to experience this in full flight.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2045 28 July 2017

The classic 2012 Haut-Bailly is staggeringly great wine, with a stunning bouquet of lead pencil shavings, blueberries, black raspberries and blackcurrants and perhaps a touch of spring flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with an almost seamless integration of wood, alcohol and tannin. It is rich, concentrated, stunningly supple, pure and a total hedonistic and intellectual turn-on. This wine defines what is meant by intensity of flavor, but it is light on its feet, à la great cuisine. It should be drinkable reasonably young, but age effortlessly for 25-30 years.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2045 01 April 2015

While the 2012 Haut-Bailly is not as powerful or rich as the 2009 and 2010, it is classically elegant, racy and noble. This medium-bodied effort is the poster child for elegance, finesse, balance and equilibrium. The Cantemerle of Pessac-Leognan? Its deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of black cherries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and a touch of spicy oak. This medium-bodied, pretty wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and last for two decades.

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2037 26 April 2013

Well-stuffed, with thick and muscular brambly structure that easily supports the core of macerated black currant, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors. A tarry edge coats the finish. More backward than most of its peers at this early stage, but all the elements are in place. Best from 2018 through 2027

Score: 93

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2018-2027 15 January 2015

Very pure, with dusty cherry, plum and cassis fruit flavors, featuring a suave finish threaded with warm stone and licorice notes. Shows solid length for the vintage. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 90 - 93

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 08 April 2013

Dark with a purple rim. Lifted, appetising nose. Racy and flattering even if without enormous concentration. Flattering mouthfeel. No rusticity here! Though perhaps a little alcohol on the dry, slightly angular finish. A menthol note. (16.5+ Points)

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2020-2032 19 April 2013

A beautiful red with plums and chocolate and hints of licorice. Full body, with super polished tannins. Ripe fruit with forest undergrowth, dark fruits and sweet tobacco. Goes on for minutes.

Score: 93 - 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 04 April 2013