| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A superb success for the vintage, the 2006 exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a poised, classic bouquet of sweet black cherries, graphite, camphor, truffles, and a subtle hint of oak. Medium-bodied with a stunningly layered texture, impressive purity, and beautiful balance, this cuvee is haute couture in a glass. Although surprisingly approachable, it won't hit its adolescent stage for 8-10 years, and will last for 25-30 years thereafter. Bravo!It is extraordinary to see what the American proprietor, a banker from Buffalo, NY, Robert Wilmers and Veronique Sanders, the granddaughter of the former proprietor, have accomplished at Haut-Bailly. Together they are pushing this outstanding terroir to first-growth quality levels. It is an amazing success story, and readers looking for a quintessentially elegant Bordeaux need look no further than Haut-Bailly.
The 2006 Haut-Bailly is crisp, focused and quite vivid with blue and black fruit intermingling, more floral than the 2005 with iris and violet flowers. The palate is medium-bodied, less body than the 2005 and more mature. A ferrous tincture and tertiary red fruit are laced with tobacco towards the finish. This appears to be evolving a little quicker than expected but it is still drinking well. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. Drinking window: 2021 - 2032
Gorgeous nose, with fantastic aromas of minerals, berries and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and lots of gorgeous fruit. Very long and refined. Very close to the 2005. This shows wonderful finesse and length for the vintage.
A bit overripe and lolly-like on the nose, although the Graves freshness shines through too. Very slightly dull and lacking vivacity on the palate. Drying finish. A little stodgy even if worthy - gripping tannins. Very dry. A bit more solid than usual. Another tasting revealed it as pretty sweet and succulent - then very dry tannins. A disjunction between the please-all start and the drying finish for the moment.
The 2006 Château Haut-Bailly is more forward and charming, but it's another seriously good wine. Dried flowers, currants, chocolate, sandalwood, cigar, and graphite all shine here, and it's one of those wines you could just smell all evening. With plenty of mid-palate depth, medium to full body, and ripe, integrated tannins, drink this beauty over the coming 10-12 years. (Drink between 2023-2035)
Full ruby-red. Sappy aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice pastille and menthol lifted by a floral topnote. Then tight, dry and classic on the palate, with terrific energy and an impression of weightlessness to the youthfully imploded flavors of black fruits, minerals, camphor, cedar and tobacco. As smooth as it is, it's also quite serious and uncompromising. Showing better than a sample I tasted last year right after the bottling, but still an infant. Offers impressive cellaring potential.
Intrigue on the nose, the mix of black fruits is spiced up with a touch of cinnamon. The tannins feel ripe and give suppleness and depth to the cassis flavours. The finish has a firmer more structured feel.
This is historically one of the most ethereal and elegant wines of Bordeaux, and under the new proprietor, American banker, Robert Wilmers, backed up by Veronique Sanders, the granddaughter of the former proprietor, Daniel Sanders, Haut-Bailly is making its finest wines in nearly three decades. The 2006 boasts a dark ruby color along with a stunning bouquet of charcoal embers intermixed with sweet black cherry and black currant fruit, beautifully integrated, subtle oak, medium body, and a gorgeous texture. Despite impressive fruit intensity and impeccable length, it remains light on its feet. This classic Graves tastes like the Cheval Blanc of Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.
The 2006 Château Haut-Bailly has a refined and pure bouquet with hints of dark chocolate infusing the precise red berry fruit. I love the way this seductively unfurls in the glass, as if a finger is beckoning you. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a keen line of acidity, quite grippy and backward towards the finish, suggesting that this will benefit from another year or two in bottle. Elegance and power here, a Haut-Bailly cruising at a high level.
Tasted at a negotiant and in London. A very pure nose of blackberry, blueberries and raspberry although it is lacking just a little delineation at this primordial stage. Touch of fresh tobacco developing in the glass. The palate is impressive with ripe black fruits, toasty tannins, superb balance and focus. Great persistency, this is an absolute joy even at this stage. Clean, crisp finish with superb persistency. Black cherries, blueberries, a lot of vanillary oak but balanced by the intensity of fruit. Bravo! Tasted April 2007.
