Château Haut-Bailly 2023

Profound, cool in expression, crystal-clear Cabernet fruit—blackberry, cherry, cassis, violet—underpinned by a stony nuance; powerful on the palate, with flesh on the bones, yet remaining elegant, silky tannins caressing the fruit; an exceptionally long finish, ending on red berries and licorice. An excellent, charming Haut-Bailly that will be a delight at every stage of its life.

Such pretty aromatics, gorgeous florally on the nose – roses and peonies, blackcurrant leaf, cranberries and cherries with some plum and dark chocolate too. Soft and smooth, sumptuous like Haut-Bailly usually is. Juicy and plump for the vintage, it keeps its defined frame thanks to fine tannins with slightly sharp edges but it also has some softness with ripe fruit and lots of freshness. This is a real success, slightly warm on the finish and a little toasted but this has finesse and complexity with layers of flavour and texture. Stylish and confident. pH 3.75. 6% press wine. 55% grand vin production. Ageing 14–15 months, 50% new oak. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Deep crimson. Fragrant with both dark fruit and a stony/mineral impression. Elegant in both weight and harmony. Restrained, fresh, long. Not at all showy, as you would expect from this property, but it has a really long and refreshing finish. Masterclass in restraint despite the 14.5% alcohol (if the label is accurate). (JH)

Flowers, blackberries, camphor, black raspberries, blackberries, cherries and smoke aromatics are all over the place. On the palate, the wine offers vibrancy paired with elegant, firm tannins, and fabulous levels of purity in the fruits. The length and expansiveness is impossible to ignore. The silky, refined finish leaves you with black raspberries, and black cherries coupled with , with a refreshing touch of mint in the endnote that makes you want to take another sip. This is even better than it was in barrel, which is always a positive sign. The wine blends 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2029-2060.

58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 40 hl/ha, 14.3% abv. What a seductive nose: blackcurrant, dark cherry, marjoram and wild sage, with light tobacco behind, delicate graphite notes and cranberry juice. On the complex palate it is tautly focused with a velvety texture and a tight-knit tannic framework, building plenty of tension, with balanced verve in a well-trained body. The concentrated, long-lasting finish shows small black berries, dark minerality and a noble astringency. It reminds me of the nimble Muhammad Ali. Clearly belongs to the top tier in Pessac-Léognan.

Inky plum colour, so effortless, incredibly savoury and moreish, salted cracker and cocoa bean, fine plentiful tannins, with plenty of hidden depths. Feels like a wine you know you’ll be thrilled to drink in years to come. High floral aromatics unwind as you sit with the glass, showing pure rosebud and liquorice, with chalky tannins that are supple, refined and grained. 50% new oak. Harvest September 11 to 29.

Score: 96–98. A restrained nose with pretty red fruits just peeking through, along with plums and wild strawberries. Creamy on the palate, it reveals the signature velvety caress of Haut-Bailly. A subtle, discreet wine, displaying sensational freshness, salinity, and elegance for a modern palate. It stays true to its identity: bravo. Supremely elegant.

The fusion of energy, freshness and ripeness is immediately evident. It perfectly reflects the common thread that defines the vintage: plenty of freshness, but also a sunny side. It reveals hints of red berries, aromas of ripe black berries, followed by a touch of truffle, graphite, flint and even garrigue. A creamy note on the attack paves the way for a compact, dense wine. The texture is not especially broad, but it is precisely framed and carried by a structuring energy. All this results in a very elegant, subtle, powerful Haut-Bailly of remarkable coherence. Every element contributes to a thoughtful, linear progression, led by compact, slightly tight tannins brimming with power and freshness. The complementarity between vigor and character is at its peak, and the wine now shows a serenity it had not yet managed to fully express during the en primeur tastings. All the better, because ageing was clearly fundamental. A truly great Haut-Bailly, shining through its subtlety, elegance and ability to display its many qualities with a delicacy worthy of the very finest. A complete wine—youthful, assertive and compelling. And even if it is not the current fashion, I will not fail to remind you: it will need time! In the meantime, you can drink Haut-Bailly II.

Pure and radiant! Its brilliant, velvety violet hue opens onto an exuberant bouquet of blackberry, bramble, strawberry jam, wild strawberry, blackcurrant bud, and black cherry. The elongated, full texture is exceptional, with defined structure, integrated silky tannins, and impressive length; the whole is highly sapid, indulgent, fresh, and mineral, with a powdery mouthfeel. Pure house style and great class. With 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Franc and Petit Verdot, the blend plays perfectly to the vintage’s strengths.

96-98. Barrel Sample. The wine has dark fruit and smoky aromas, with ripe black-currants and rich tannins. This is a fine vintage showing the complexity from this estate. It is full bodied but with layers of acidity to keep it fresh. Impressive and ageworthy.

Logo on the cork: A in a circle (Amorim) Dark, intense, brilliant colour. Very aromatic nose, fine, pure and subtle, with lovely fruit notes. Hints of leather. A touch of pinewood when the glass is swirled. Precise on the attack, very aromatic through the mid-palate, with a graceful mouthfeel; the sensations build into the finish and the wine ends long, sappy and highly fragrant, with a fine texture. A beautiful aromatic finish worthy of a great white wine. Better without decanting than decanted.