Château Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

Wow! This comes right out of the gate fantastically. This is magical this early for 2010. 2010 is a great vintage but, built for elder years and children. The nose reveals, slightly steeped, ripe & ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cooked pomegranates and cherries. Slight liqueur notes, toffee, caramel, mocha, melted chocolate, steeped fruit tea, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, dark spices, soft leather, light fresh tobacco, dry stones, graphite, expresso roast, dark, rich soils, with candied, fragrant, bright, dark, red, blue florals set in violets. The body is round, elegant and ruby beautiful. The tannins are; dark, tarry, spicy, rounded and chewy. The structure, tension, length and balance live up to every bit of hype the 2010 was given. Slightly steeped, ripe & ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cooked pomegranates and cherries. Slight liqueur notes, toffee, caramel, mocha, melted chocolate, steeped fruit tea, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, deep dark spices with incredible palate heat, soft leather, light fresh tobacco, dry stones, graphite, expresso roast, dark, rich soils, with candied, fragrant, bright, dark, red, blue florals set in violets. The acidity is perfect. The seriously elegant finish is; ripe, slightly candied, brightly floral, polished and persists endlessly. Beautiful wine now and for the next 35 years. Photos of; arial view of Chateau Haut-Bailly-fortunate to have spent two nights there, dinning room that I was fortunate to have dinner in, artful perspective of the Chateau and their brand glass doors that lead into their barrel room.

Mike R

It was closed for two hours but it finally finished strong

Lee Pitofsky

*didn’t take notes

James Forsyth

Rich, delicious and distinctly savory. Raspberry, mocha, nutmeg. Terrific soft velvet structure. Gorgeous.

Mike R

I have never seen a wine where these three critics are in agreement - RP 95, WS 95 and WE 95 - deep rich concentrated fruits as well deep red color - it is still young and took two hours to where the decant worked and so opened up - I am total agreement - all smiles

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

Haut-Bailly Dinner in SF with Veronique Sanders of Haut-Bailly. The 2010 is an excellent vintage but, it is for the later part of your life or your children. This is drinking beautifully with a 4 hour decant. The structure & tension are just starting to their softening stage. The length and balance are in the forget about it range and will just get better & better. Ripe, stunning fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum & a touch of blue fruits. Moist clay & top soils, stones, mint, graphite, fresh tobacco, dark cola, anise to black licorice with stunning, withering floral bouquet. Acidity is perfect. The finish is everything you want in a Bordeaux. Definitely a 99-100 point wine in 15 years plus. Served with the Cheese Plate; Red Hawk, Hop Along & Roquefort. @Mathilde French Bistro Photos of; Clyde Beffa Owner of K&L Wine Merchants & Veronique Sanders, dinner menu & pairing, Veronique talking terroir/vintages & dinner guests.

Kenji Shimodaira

Definitely the BEST by Château Haut-Bailly!!

Daron Watson

#matteroftaste

web bond

Big boy for Haut Bailly. Purported to be their best wine in the last 50 years. Highest elevation terroir in Pessac-Leognan. Probably under estimating this wine.

Alexandre Calvi

Just don't leave this bottle unattended with your wife around…