Chateau Haut-Bailly - Pessac Leognan 2020

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Chateau Haut-Bailly Description

For over four centuries, Château Haut-Bailly has overlooked a 30 hectare vineyard in a single block entirely devoted to producing red wine. Haut-Bailly’s reputation as one of the great wines of Bordeaux dates from the 19th century, and the word “outstanding” most often associated with the château reflects its superb quality.

In July 1998 Chateau Haut-Bailly was purchased by American Robert G. Wilmers and is today managed by Véronique Sanders, fourth generation, to serve as general manager, overseeing a far-reaching investment programme to modernise the vineyards, cellars, offices, and chateau itself. Following the sad passing of Bob in December 2017, the management team is committed to continuing Bob’s work in the same spirit and energy as in the past twenty years. With the 2021 vintage, Chateau Haut-Bailly debuted a contemporary, custom-built winery. The building allows them to carry out precision work in optimal conditions. Thr future looks bright at Chateau Haut-Bailly.

James Suckling: 99-100 Points

This has incredible power and drive with blackberry, black olive and graphite. It’s full-bodied, yet dynamic and agile, with so much polished and muscular tannin. Yet, it remains in harmony and balance. So much character. The head of the chateau calls it diabolical beauty. 25% less production than the 2019. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck: 99 Points

Another wine I underrated on release, the 2020 Château Haut-Bailly is just about pure perfection, and whereas the 2018 is closer in style to the 2009, this plays things a little closer to its vest and is reminiscent of the 2010. Full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful, it nevertheless cuts a focused, precise path across the palate and brings incredible purity in its darker fruits, smoked tobacco, cedar pencil, and Asian spice-driven aromas and flavors. The tannin quality here is off the charts, and this beauty has everything you could want from wine. It needs a solid 4-6 years (if not longer) to hit the early stages of its prime drinking window, and it's going to evolve for 50+ years.

Decanter: 97 Points

Almost wild on the nose, aromatic and expressive, you can tell this is a powerful, concentrated wine with dark fruits, graphite, fresh mint and medicinal herbal touches. Pure and focused, clean, lean and multifaceted, the flavours hit the palate then melt away, giving the floor to liquorice, cedar, tobacco and soft clove spices. I love the sleekness and the sense of seriousness that the 2020 has compared to the more 'look at me' 2019 at this point. The texture and depth make this wine, with vertical layers and excellent acidity. A profound wine.

Vinous: 97 Points

The 2020 Haut-Bailly has developed into an elegant, richly-textured wine with all its elements in balance. Classy and polished to the core, the 2020 is a Haut-Bailly that favors finesse over power. It's a wine of extreme precision and persistence more than anything else. Red-toned fruit, dried flowers, spice and blood orange are some of the many notes that open over time. The 2020 spent 15 months in barrel, with 50% new oak.

Wine Enthusiast: 96-98 Points

This wine's texture is exceptional, with powerful dark fruits and rich tannins blending seamlessly. All this density is cut with the finest spice and fresh acidity. The result is a wine that has both power and delicacy that gives a lift to the aftertaste. It will certainly age so well.