Haut Bailly 2010

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes
As ever when tasting the two together, the striking thing is the difference in character rather than quality between 2009 and 2010. This is tighter, more structured in its concentration, more broad shouldered, but still intensely impressive and full of pleasure. Neither are ready to go yet, but this feels like it will last longer, and feels extremely Haut-Bailly in spirit, with an elegant but complex personality, and a grip that doesn't make a big deal of its power but refuses to give up. Blackberry, bilberry, black chocolate and pencil. Harvest September 22 to October 14. Score: 100 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2045 03 July 2020
This vintage is a similar inky purple color, with subtle notes of licorice, barbecue smoke, crème de cassis, a bit more blackberry and slightly more formidable tannic structure, but again, the tannins are well-integrated and the wine constructed in a velvety, seamless (haute couture) way by Véronique Sanders. The wine coats the palate in a viscosity and richness, but there's a freshness and precision that is further indication of just how profound this wine will turn out. The wine needs another 5 to10 years and is not as "open for business" as the 2009 will probably always be, but wow, what a spectacular wine! I suspect these are the two greatest back-to-back Haut-Baillys ever made in the long, celebrated history of this small estate in Pessac-Leognan. (97+ Points) Score: 97 Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 June 2014
Deep plum/purple, Haut-Bailly’s 2010 required some coaxing to appreciate its subtle notes of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and crème de cassis as well as its touches of pomegranate and forest floor. The oak is pushed far into the background and the tannins are extremely silky, but the intensity of the wine is profound and the finish lingers for close to 55 seconds. This wine is ripe yet delicate, powerful yet stylish, and essentially resembles a remarkable fashion design from a house of haute couture. This wine needs a good 7-8 years of bottle age and should keep for 40-50+ years. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2070+ 01 February 2013
Proprietor Robert Wilmers and general manager/winemaker Veronique Sanders have done an extraordinary job at this estate, which has now become one of the superstars of Bordeaux as recent vintages have admirably demonstrated. An opulently styled effort, the blue/purple-hued 2010 offers a sweet kiss of graphite, charcoal, black cherries, black currants and compelling forest floor-like notes. A seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak is found in this full-bodied yet delicate, precise 2010. There is plenty of tannin but it is well-hidden behind the extravagant quantity of fruit. Give it 5-7 years and drink it over the following 35-40 years. Score: 95 - 97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011
Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb. Don't touch until 2020. Score: 98 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2020+ 04 February 2013
Complex nose: that leafy perfume that I love in Pessac but also a savoury dark, almost tarry note. Not overripe. Tannins are very present but supple and fine and dry, allowing the dark, lively but not at all ostentatious fruit to peak through. Dark and dry and promising on the finish. Score: 18 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 10 April 2012
62%CS, 36%M and 2%CF. Unfortunately the production will be 30% down due to hail. Black fruit with floral lift. The palate is big and mouthfilling but the fruit is soft juicy blackberries with tar. Lots of pure blackberry density but not over-done and very refreshing on the finish. Score: 94 - 96 Albany Vintners, - 27 April 2011
The nose is very dense and rather introspective at first, gradually unfurling in the glass with blackberry, boysenberry and a slight 'clayey' aroma that moves towards coca with continued aeration. The palate is full-bodied and very powerful, very structured and tannic although the tannins and not quite as fine as say, Smith Haut-Lafitte or Pape-Clement. Touches of graphite linger on the aftertaste. The sample at the Château needed a little more tension and precision...the sample at the UGC gave it to me! Tasted April 2011. Score: 92 - 95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 22 April 2011
Blackish crimson. Really savoury, well integrated, interesting-already nose. Then a bit inky on the palate at the moment. Medium bodied and very Cabernet. Needs lots of time. A dry wine, be warned. Classical stuff. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2032 12 April 2011

Tasting Notes

As ever when tasting the two together, the striking thing is the difference in character rather than quality between 2009 and 2010. This is tighter, more structured in its concentration, more broad shouldered, but still intensely impressive and full of pleasure. Neither are ready to go yet, but this feels like it will last longer, and feels extremely Haut-Bailly in spirit, with an elegant but complex personality, and a grip that doesn't make a big deal of its power but refuses to give up. Blackberry, bilberry, black chocolate and pencil. Harvest September 22 to October 14.

Score: 100

Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2045 03 July 2020

This vintage is a similar inky purple color, with subtle notes of licorice, barbecue smoke, crème de cassis, a bit more blackberry and slightly more formidable tannic structure, but again, the tannins are well-integrated and the wine constructed in a velvety, seamless (haute couture) way by Véronique Sanders. The wine coats the palate in a viscosity and richness, but there's a freshness and precision that is further indication of just how profound this wine will turn out. The wine needs another 5 to10 years and is not as "open for business" as the 2009 will probably always be, but wow, what a spectacular wine! I suspect these are the two greatest back-to-back Haut-Baillys ever made in the long, celebrated history of this small estate in Pessac-Leognan. (97+ Points)

Score: 97

Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 June 2014

Deep plum/purple, Haut-Bailly’s 2010 required some coaxing to appreciate its subtle notes of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and crème de cassis as well as its touches of pomegranate and forest floor. The oak is pushed far into the background and the tannins are extremely silky, but the intensity of the wine is profound and the finish lingers for close to 55 seconds. This wine is ripe yet delicate, powerful yet stylish, and essentially resembles a remarkable fashion design from a house of haute couture. This wine needs a good 7-8 years of bottle age and should keep for 40-50+ years.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2070+ 01 February 2013

Proprietor Robert Wilmers and general manager/winemaker Veronique Sanders have done an extraordinary job at this estate, which has now become one of the superstars of Bordeaux as recent vintages have admirably demonstrated. An opulently styled effort, the blue/purple-hued 2010 offers a sweet kiss of graphite, charcoal, black cherries, black currants and compelling forest floor-like notes. A seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and oak is found in this full-bodied yet delicate, precise 2010. There is plenty of tannin but it is well-hidden behind the extravagant quantity of fruit. Give it 5-7 years and drink it over the following 35-40 years.

Score: 95 - 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011

Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb. Don't touch until 2020.

Score: 98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2020+ 04 February 2013

Complex nose: that leafy perfume that I love in Pessac but also a savoury dark, almost tarry note. Not overripe. Tannins are very present but supple and fine and dry, allowing the dark, lively but not at all ostentatious fruit to peak through. Dark and dry and promising on the finish.

Score: 18

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 10 April 2012

62%CS, 36%M and 2%CF. Unfortunately the production will be 30% down due to hail. Black fruit with floral lift. The palate is big and mouthfilling but the fruit is soft juicy blackberries with tar. Lots of pure blackberry density but not over-done and very refreshing on the finish.

Score: 94 - 96

Albany Vintners, - 27 April 2011

The nose is very dense and rather introspective at first, gradually unfurling in the glass with blackberry, boysenberry and a slight 'clayey' aroma that moves towards coca with continued aeration. The palate is full-bodied and very powerful, very structured and tannic although the tannins and not quite as fine as say, Smith Haut-Lafitte or Pape-Clement. Touches of graphite linger on the aftertaste. The sample at the Château needed a little more tension and precision...the sample at the UGC gave it to me! Tasted April 2011.

Score: 92 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 22 April 2011

Blackish crimson. Really savoury, well integrated, interesting-already nose. Then a bit inky on the palate at the moment. Medium bodied and very Cabernet. Needs lots of time. A dry wine, be warned. Classical stuff.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2032 12 April 2011

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