| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The classic 2012 Haut-Bailly is staggeringly great wine, with a stunning bouquet of lead pencil shavings, blueberries, black raspberries and blackcurrants and perhaps a touch of spring flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with an almost seamless integration of wood, alcohol and tannin. It is rich, concentrated, stunningly supple, pure and a total hedonistic and intellectual turn-on. This wine defines what is meant by intensity of flavor, but it is light on its feet, à la great cuisine. It should be drinkable reasonably young, but age effortlessly for 25-30 years. Drink 2015-2045.
The 2012 Haut-Bailly has more charm and fruit concentration than the 2011. it offers a mixture of red and black fruit, forest floor and hints of wild mushroom. The palate is built around quite firm tannins that soften with aeration. Fleshier than expected with a subtle savoury character segueing into a peppery and quite sustained finish. This is just reaching its drinking plateau. Excellent. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. Drink: 2022 - 2048
This red shows intense blackberries, raspberries and strawberries on the nose, following through to a full body with refined yet firm tannins, fresh acidity and a delicate finish. The purity of fruit and finesse and texture of the tannins are all fantastic. Drink in 2019
Sweet blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, this displays grip, poise and total control from the winemaking team. Mouthwatering, with deft and well-hewn tannins, reallly steps up among the line up, showing signature grip and poise. The limitations of the 2012 vintage comes through in terms of a soft landing, and it is ready to begin drinking, but this is skilful, mouthwatering and offers plenty to enjoy. Harvest September 27th and October 15th
Dark with a purple rim. Lifted, appetising nose. Racy and flattering even if without enormous concentration. Flattering mouthfeel. No rusticity here! Though perhaps a little alcohol on the dry, slightly angular finish. A menthol note. Drink 2020-2032
Deep purple in colour. The nose is very pure with blackcurrant and a little smoke and earth. A classic Graves character. The palate has real focus, with the blackcurrant core of fruit given structure by firm Cabernet tannins. This is a serious wine, that will need time to soften and flesh out, but it has all the structure to be long lived and improve with age.
Black fruits dominate deep brooding black cherry and cassis. The mid palate has ripe fruit the sweetness underpinned by firm tannins and fresh bilberry. Black cherry and cassis fill out and enrich the back palate and finish. 2020-35
As it often does, Haut-Bailly has made one of the leading wines in Pessac-Léognan in
2012, and one that wouldn't look out of place alongside its 2010. It's a serious red, built for
cellaring, with plenty of concentration, aromatic, floral fruit, tangy acidity and layered,
age-worthy tannins.
Drink: 2022-35
While the 2012 Haut-Bailly is not as powerful or rich as the 2009 and 2010, it is classically elegant, racy and noble. This medium-bodied effort is the poster child for elegance, finesse, balance and equilibrium. The Cantemerle of Pessac-Leognan? Its deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of black cherries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and a touch of spicy oak. This medium-bodied, pretty wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and last for two decades.
The grand vin has been impressive under the administration of Veronique Sanders and her boss, Robert Wilmers, who has given her carte blanche to do whatever is necessary.
The 2012 Haut Bailly is a brilliant wine for the vintage. It has a very intense bouquet with scents of blackberry, bilberry, cedar and a touch of pencil lead. This is very well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, certainly one of the most structured Pessac-Léognan wines that I have encountered, yet it is struck through with wonderful balance and focus. It tightens up a little on the finish, a 2012 built for long-term drinking pleasure, and as such, I would afford it five or six more years in bottle if wishing to experience this in full flight. Tasted March 2017. Drink Date 2022-2045
The Grand Vin is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, picked between September 27th and October 15th. The nose is comparatively reserved, broody black fruit, wild strawberry and hint of cedar. It is nicely focused, less precocious than recent vintages. The palate is soft and very smooth on the entry. Velvety soft tannins, although it needs just a little more lift on the mid-palate. It is quite linear towards the finish, quite caressing in the mouth with just a little new oak to be absorbed. There is nice grip and persistency here - a classic Haut-Bailly. Tasted April 2013.
A beautiful red with plums and chocolate and hints of licorice. Full body, with super polished tannins. Ripe fruit with forest undergrowth, dark fruits and sweet tobacco. Goes on for minutes.
This classic Graves property is managed by Véronique Sanders and produced from an approximate 50:50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. There is concentrated blackcurrant fruit here with an attractive spicy character from the oak. At the moment it is quite dry with firm tannins at the finish but whilst it lacks charm today it promises well for the future.
