| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
While excellent, nearly outstanding, the 1990 Haut Bailly is not up to the quality level of recent vintages produced under the new ownership of American Robert Wilmers and his winemaker, Veronique Sanders. The complex 1990 offers up subtle yet persistent aromas of red currants, tobacco leaf, spice box, and smoke. This medium-bodied, fully mature wine exhibits sweetness as well as lushness, and is capable of lasting another decade.
The 2002 Haut-Bailly is perhaps a little staid on the nose compared to the 2001. Tertiary black fruit and touches of leather, miss the fruit intensity of the previous two vintages. The palate is better with a slightly ferrous, almost Right Bank opening, leather mixed with sage and brown spices. This just shows a little dryness towards the finish. Drink now and over the next five to eight years. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. Drink 2021-2030.
The 1990 Haut Bailly has always been a good rather than great wine for the vintage. Fully mature bouquet with smudged earthy, smoky aromas, maybe there is just a slight greenness in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with rustic tannins, a little chunky in the mouth, with a slightly animally/Rhône-like finish that just fades a little too quickly. I would drink this now rather than later. Tasted at the château. Drink 2021-2026.
The 1990 Haut Bailly has always been a good rather than great wine for the vintage, this predating the acquisition by Bob Wilmers, which was eight years later. It has a fully mature bouquet with smudged earthy, smoky aromas, maybe with just a slight greenness in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with rustic tannins, a little chunky in the mouth, animally with a slightly animally/Rhône-like finish that just fades a little too quickly. It's a rough sketch compared to the detailed portraits drawn by the estate these days, and as such, I would drink this now rather than later. Tasted March 2017. Drink 2017-2022
