Château Haut-Bailly - Pessac-Leognan 2010
IN STOCK
$245.00
Chateau Haut-Bailly is quickly gaining praise as one of the Left Bank's top contenders. Since American banker Robert G. Wilmers took over in 1998, the estate has made significant strides in elevating the quality of its wines. Wilmers' deep pockets and passion for crafting exceptional wines have been evident since the 2005 vintage. It's no surprise that critics have taken notice, with Robert Parker declaring that Haut-Bailly's wines now rival renowned estates like Pape-Clement, La Mission Haut-Brion, and Haut-Brion. Such high praise from a powerful critic demands a closer look – it's time to discover why Chateau Haut-Bailly has all the critics buzzing.
Under the expert guidance of technical director Veronique Sanders and owner Robert G. Wilmers, Chateau Haut-Bailly found its stride. Since 2009, the estate has garnered six hundred-point scores and critical acclaim, with the 2009 vintage being hailed as "the greatest Haut-Bailly ever made." This is no small feat, given the winemaking history here dates back over five hundred years. Wilmers and Sanders have transformed Chateau Haut-Bailly from an estate with minimal attention to one of Bordeaux's fastest-rising stars.
Chateau Haut-Bailly's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. An estate once overlooked from 1970 to the early 2000s is now hailed as "one of the superstars of Bordeaux" by the esteemed Robert Parker. What's most impressive about these wines isn't just their quality, but also their value and affordability. Now is the perfect time to indulge or invest in a bottle of Chateau Haut-Bailly – a world-class wine available at a conservative price.
Made of concrete or stainless steel, the vats are all truncated cone-shaped, with double insulated walls. With a capacity of between 50 and 200 hectolitres, they are sized to suit the plot-by-plot harvest. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in these vats, at a controlled temperature of 26-28°C, with gentle pump overs. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels and stainless steel vats.
The wines are then placed in oak barrels and matured for 14 to 16 months. The estate’s policy is to adapt the proportion of new barrels to the structure of the vintage. It varies between 50 and 60% for Château Haut-Bailly and averages 30% for Haut-Bailly•II. The barrels, fine-grained French oak, are selected from 7 different coopers.
“As ever when tasting the two together, the striking thing is the difference in character rather than quality between 2009 and 2010. This is tighter, more structured in its concentration, more broad shouldered, but still intensely impressive and full of pleasure. Neither are ready to go yet, but this feels like it will last longer, and feels extremely Haut-Bailly in spirit, with an elegant but complex personality, and a grip that doesn't make a big deal of its power but refuses to give up. Blackberry, bilberry, black chocolate and pencil. Harvest September 22 to October 14. Drinking Window 2015 - 2030.” - 100 Points, Decanter
“Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb.” - 98 Points, James Suckling
"The 2010 Haut Bailly has consistently been a fantastic wine, and at seven years of age I have no reason to alter that view. It has a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, wet stone, black olive and a light marine influence. It is still backward compared to other vintages, but it has not relinquished one iota of its intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a voluminous Haut Bailly, one that is beginning to stretch its muscles, with a gentle grip in the mouth with a wonderful saline finish. There is huge potential locked into this wine, but patience is needed. Tasted March 2017." - 95 Points, Robert Parker
Producer: Château Haut-Bailly
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Appellation: Pessac-Leognan
Vintage: 2010
Size: 750ml