2023 Chateau Haut Bailly - Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Such pretty aromatics, gorgeous florally on the nose - roses and peonies, blackcurrant leaf, cranberries and cherries with some plum and black 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 hot on the finish and a little toasted but this has finesse and complexity with layered of flavour and texture. Stylish and confident. 3.75ph. 6% press wine. 55% grand vin production. Ageing 14-15 months, 50% new oak. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend.* - 04/2024

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Such pretty aromatics, gorgeous florally on the nose - roses and peonies, blackcurrant leaf, cranberries and cherries with some plum and black 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 hot on the finish and a little toasted but this has finesse and complexity with layered of flavour and texture. Stylish and confident. 3.75ph. 6% press wine. 55% grand vin production. Ageing 14-15 months, 50% new oak. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend.* - 04/2024

Vinum Magazin – 98/100 pts: *Tiefgründig, kühl im Ausdruck, glasklare Carbernet-Frucht, Brombeere, Kirsche, Cassis, Veilchen, steinig unterlegt; druckvoll am Gaumen, hat Fleisch am Knochen, bleibt elegant, seidiges Tannin umgarnt die Frucht, im Abgang ausgesprochen lang, endet auf rote Beeren und Lakritze. Ein ausgezeichneter, charmanter Haut-Bailly, der in jeder Phase seines Lebens Spass machen wird.* - 12/2023

WeinWisser – 19/20 pts – GL, TW: *58 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 40 hl/ha, 14.3 Vol.-%. Was für ein verführerischer Duft, schwarze Johannisbeere, dunkle Kirsche, Majoran und wilder Salbei, dahinter heller Tabak, zarte Graphitnoten und Preiselbeersaft. Am komplexen Gaumen straff ausgerichtet mit samtiger Textur und engmaschigem Tanningerüst, viel Spannung aufbauend, mit balancierter Rasse bei durchtrainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten, langanhaltenden Finale mit kleinen schwarzen Beeren, dunkler Mineralik und erhabener Adstringenz. Erinnert mich an den flinken Muhammad Ali. Gehört daher klar zur Top-Liga in Pessac-Léognan.* – 04/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5+/20pts – JL: *58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc. 40.5 hl/ha. Cask sample. Fresher than HB II with more of a Cabernet leaning (cassis and blueberry notes). Texturally smooth and round, the tannins fine but plenty of drive and persistence. Crunchy fruit and a light chalky finish. Less power than 2022 but more freshness and finesse and maybe balance.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – AG: *The 2023 Haut-Bailly is one of the most sensual, elegant wines I have tasted here. Soft, curvy and racy, the 2023 is impeccably balanced right out of the gate. Deceptively approachable and soft, the 2023 is much more about finesse than power. It’s a wine that represents the new spirit of Bordeaux—a wine that emphasizes understatement and class.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – NM: *The 2023 Haut-Bailly was picked from September 11 to 29 at 40.5hL/ha. It is being raised in 50% new oak for a planned 14 months, plus another three in vats. Véronique Sanders told me that there is 6% /vin de presse/ in the blend this year. This has a beguiling bouquet that instantly switches on a metaphorical neon sign that announces you are in the presence of a very serious wine. Extremely pure and delineated, the nose presents aromas of blackberry mixed with wild strawberry, cedar and light /sous-bois/. It's much more classical in style compared to the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins that frame the blackberry, raspberry, cedar and graphite-infused fruit. It boasts more grip and persistency on the finish than its peers, with a residual subtle pinch of black pepper. This ranks as one of the standout wines in Pessac-Léognan, perhaps in Bordeaux itself. Outstanding.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (96-98) pts – JL: *Flowers, cedar, spice, and tobacco coupled with black raspberries, blackberries, and smoke aromatics are what initially grabs your attention. There is a vibrancy paired with elegant, firm tannins, and purity, and length that is impossible to ignore on the palate. The finish is silky, and refined, leaving you with lingering black raspberries, and black cherries, with a refreshing touch of mint in the slightly, firm endnote that make you want to take another sip. It was management of the mildew pressure, along with paying attention to the degree of ABV which were the two key areas of attention here this year. The wine blends 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 4% Petit Verdot. 14.3% ABV, pH 3.75. 6% press wine. Picking took place September 11 - September 29. Drink from 2029-2060.* - 05/2024