Haut Bailly 1996

Haut-Bailly

Case Format: 1x600cl

Max score: 92.0

Château Haut Bailly is a Grand Cru Classé in the Pessac Léognan appellation of the Bordeaux region. Situated on high ground just east of Léognan, Haut Bailly’s terroir benefits from gravel, sandstone and sand over limestone soils. The 39 hectares of vineyard are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (c.60%), Merlot (c.34%), Cabernet Franc (c.3%) and Petit Verdot (c.3%). Previously only 30 hectares in size, as of 2022, Haut Bailly added vines from their neighbouring estate – Château Le Pape to expand their vineyard. As time goes on we are to expect less Cabernet Sauvignon, more Petit Verdot and less Cabernet Franc as the vineyard continues to evolve. On average Haut-Bailly’s vines are around 38 years of age, but it must be noted that over half the vineyard is more than half a century old, with 15% of the vines being over 120 years in age. The end result is a wine full to the brim with spices, juicy fruit, smoke and tobacco, forming a full-bodied blend that is imbued with balance and finesse, drawn from Haut Bailly’s historic landscape.

IN BOND

CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Jeb Dunnuck

The 1996 Haut Bailly is about as classic as they come and shows the more focused, elegant style of this vintage nicely. Cedarwood, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf and plenty of earthy dark fruits emerge from this medium-bodied, fresh, balanced, textbook Pessac that’s drinking at point today. It should last for another 15-20 years.

92
Neal Martin

Tasted at the château, the 1996 Haut Bailly is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has an attractive bouquet with blackcurrant pastilles, briary, a touch of gravel and dried orange peel. As I commented a few years ago, this is a 1996 that is not as immediate as others, but seems to find its voice with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a soy-tinged opening. This is well balanced and quite rounded in the mouth, quite masculine and perhaps having dispensed with some of the freshness and vitality that it showed in numerous tastings in the previous decade. There is a noticeable salinity here, lending it a marine-like finish with black olive on the aftertaste: a highly enjoyable Haut-Bailly, perchance one soon to reach the end of its plateau? Whatever -- I like where this is at now. Tasted July 2016.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

COLOUR

COUNTRY

REGION

VINTAGE

CASE FORMAT

MAX CRITIC SCORE

92.0

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