Château Haut-Bailly 2019

Reserved, yet displaying tremendous aromatic complexity; crystal-clear opening, immensely dense, sinewy development, wonderfully fresh tannins of the highest quality, endless length; tremendous.

95–97. Barrel Sample. This is a very fine wine, showing layers of the densest structure as well as stylish black fruits. It is possible to taste the balance that will emerge as the wine ages, bringing out the sumptuous fruits and soft tannins. The wine is sure to age for a considerable time.

A fresh, intense and beautifully balanced Pessac-Léognan. Haut-Bailly in 2019 has all of the classic characters you would expect in a top class Graves wine – dark currant fruit, some spice notes but also a mineral/floral edge which finishes with a savoury aftertaste. Plenty of tannins here for long term ageing, although this could still be enjoyed relatively early.

Extremely aromatic, with incredible wet-earth, bark, stone and graphite notes on the nose, then changing to violets, blackberries and blackcurrants. Full-bodied, yet so linear and fine, with titanium tannins that go on so long. Builds and builds then just rolls around the palate through the endless finish. Real Bordeaux here. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 4% petit verdot. Exceptional. Better after 2029.

The 2019 Haut-Bailly is a huge, powerful wine. There is plenty of the richness of this warm vintage, but a ton of tannin too. In most warmer years, Haut-Bailly can be a real charmer upfront, but in 2019 it's all about somber dark fruit, tannin and structure. A wine of breadth and power, Haut-Bailly will need many years in the cellar to truly blossom. It's unquestionably a big wine with a brilliant future. Bright aromatics lend freshness as the 2019 continues to open with air.

Incredibly rich, lush, powerful, full-bodied and concentrated, as well as poised, balanced, and harmonious and fresh, the wine opens with an array of flowers, tobacco leaf, currants, black plums, espresso, smoke and herbs. Vibrant, seductive, long and complex, the wine is a beautiful expression of the vineyard with all of its complexities and nuances. It should drink a bit earlier than the 2015, 2016 and 2018. But it will still need time in the cellar. Drink from 2030-2060.

Dark ruby in colour with purple reflections, and a subtle ochre rim. On the nose, delicately floral dark forest berry confit, nuances of blackberry and liquorice, fine tobacco notes, a hint of orange zest, and a touch of minerality. The palate is full-bodied and very complex, with a fleshy texture, ripe, supporting tannins, velvety and long, delicately chocolatey, with sweet cherry notes and a mineral salinity on the persistent finish. Has the potential to age for decades.

The 2019 Château Haut-Bailly is more restrained and elegant, which is the vintage. Still vivid purple-hued with pure and vibrant notes of red and black fruit, sandalwood, minty herbs, and flowers, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered, elegant mouthfeel, undeniable minerality, and a gorgeous finish. This classy, utterly classic Haut-Bailly will continue to evolve gracefully for another 30+ years.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc) A dense, profound, velvety, complex bouquet: prunes, delicate dried fruits, mocha cream, dark chocolates, currants. A tightly knit, elegant, powerful palate with creamy, dense fruit, a concentrated structure, deep, dark aromatics, lots of very fine tannin; a very long, powerful, full finish with plenty of returning flavors on the back palate. (19/20) 21: Deep purple-ruby. A rich, almost milky (lactic) bouquet, bright vanillin, coconut and ripe fruit in abundance. You can hardly get enough of this young-wine bouquet; the nose is somehow both sensual and intoxicating. Full-bodied on the palate as well; the extract feels like a Cabernet fruit essence, and in the finale it becomes almost purely black-berried, with distinct elderberry and cassis notes. Has there ever been a greater Haut-Bailly with such endless charm? Despite its urge to please early, it carries the potential for several decades. 19/20 pending.

Dense, finely concentrated, mineral, complex bouquet: black cherries, plums, blackcurrant, smoke, licorice, black pepper. Densely woven, fresh, elegant palate with a finely concentrated structure, a wide range of dark, fresh aromas, plenty of fine tannins, dark fruit, and a long, powerful finish. 19/20 2026 - 2055

Love the depth of the palate, this is delicious with a scrape of tannins that are ripe and powerful without straying over the line into heavy. Love the balance of this 2019, sculputed cassis and bilberry fruits, appealingly finessed and full of estate signature. Harvest September 23 to October 10. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consultants, Gabriel Vialard winemaker, Veronique Sanders director and CEO.

[ Primeurs 2019 ratings: 93-94 ] A magnificent Merlot in a vintage that suits it perfectly, with a noble plum flavor, a remarkably velvety texture, and a more immediate, seductive expression than many of the appellation’s classified growths—highly recommended for its price.

A deep, captivating bouquet of aristocratic blue fruits and graphite, lifted by the floral freshness of rose and tulip petals. Powerful on the palate, the wine reveals a juicy, mouthwatering intensity with a saline edge. Black and blue fruits mingle with indulgent, refined notes of mocha.

The 2019 sets the tone right away. It shapes up as a classic Haut-Bailly—meaning it immediately makes it clear that it is great, with no real reason to hide it. Admittedly, it is more vibrant than the 2016 in that respect, but in any case greatness is assured in both. What freshness, precision and relevance the bouquet displays! On the palate, the wine is restrained. That is not a bad sign; it is simply waiting a little before revealing everything it has to say. The tannins, of great finesse; the charm, with its subtle sweetness; the acidity with its temperament; and the terroir acting as the conductor. The wine is brilliant in its ability to embody Haut-Bailly. There is no need to be powerful, broad and demonstrative to be great. In this particular case, one could say it is enough simply to be Haut-Bailly. In short, this wine has real personality—an “inner-soul” story, as I like to repeat. What ends up in the bottle is moving, convincing, wonderful. What a great Haut-Bailly, one that led the teams to listen to what the vine had to tell them.

Better undecanated than decanted.