Château Haut Bailly Pessac-Léognan AOP, Cru Classé des Graves

Château Haut-Bailly aus Pessac-Léognan zählt zu den 16 Cru Classé de Graves und wird unter Kennern inzwischen auf dem Niveau eines 2ème Grand Cru des Médoc gehandelt. Maßgeblich verweist diese Anerkennung auf Véronique Sanders, die das Weingut energisch an die Spitze der Appellation geführt hat. Die Cuvée aus Cabernet Sauvignon und Merlot wird im Barrique ausgebaut und weder geschönt noch filtriert. PRESSE 97-98 Punkte James Suckling I am thinking about the purity of fruit here, with blackcurrants, cassis and lead pencil. There's an underlying character of mineral and flint. The palate is dense, focused and precise, with very fine tannins that are ultra-fine and layered and go vertically down the palate. Everything is in the right place. So much polish and a svelte nature. Then hints of hazelnut and walnut to the refined texture. Sophisticated. 58% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. 94-96 Punkte Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (William Kelley) A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon (harvested from the 20th to the 29th of September), 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2023 Haut-Bailly offers up aromas of mulberries, cassis, dark wild berries, pencil lead, licorice and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich palate that is both layered and seamless, its deep mid-palate animated by lively acids, concluding with long, mineral, penetrating finish. Although it displays a darker, more brooding profile character than in previous years, it remains highly representative of its terroir and will benefit from some patience. It's being matured in 50% new oak. 995 Punkte Falstaff (Peter Moser) Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart floral, feine Nuancen von Erdbeerkonfit, reife Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von kandierten Orangenzesten, mineralischer Touch. Komplex, saftig, elegant, feine Extraktsüße, integrierte, tragende Tannine, sehr gute Länge, straff, rotbeerige Nuancen im Abgang, sicheres Reifepotenzial, feine Kräuterwürze im Nachhall. 996-98 Punkte Vinous (Neal Martin) 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.