Château Haut-Bailly 2017

Château Haut-Bailly stands as a beacon of viticultural excellence in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation within Bordeaux, France. It was acquired by the late American banker Robert Wilmers and is currently owned by his family.

Nestled on the left bank of the Garonne River, Château Haut-Bailly boasts vineyards that are meticulously tended, producing grapes of exceptional quality. The estate's terroir, marked by gravelly soils and a favorable microclimate, imparts unique characteristics to the wines, resulting in a portfolio that reflects the essence of Pessac-Léognan.

The château's winemaking philosophy seamlessly marries tradition with innovation. With a heritage dating back centuries, Château Haut-Bailly embraces modern techniques to ensure the wines achieve their fullest expression while respecting the integrity of the land.

Visitors to Château Haut-Bailly are treated to a sensory journey through the vineyards, cellars, and, ultimately, the glass. The estate's wines are celebrated for their balance, complexity, and the ability to age gracefully, embodying the timeless allure of Bordeaux.

Château Haut-Bailly's enduring legacy in the world of wine is a testament to its unwavering pursuit of excellence and its role in defining the standards for Pessac-Léognan and Bordeaux wines as a whole.

"The 2017 Haut-Bailly is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and fenugreek with core of roses, warm blueberries, black forest cake and black raspberries plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied with firm, ripe, grainy tannins, it has oodles of freshness and great finesse, continuing bright and energetic on the long, minerally finish." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (4/27/2018, Issue 236), Ratings: 94-96

"I continue to believe that the top 2017s from Bordeaux are undervalued in the market: case in point, the 2017 Château Haut-Bailly. This is a gorgeous wine that I think is as good, if not better than the 2000. Stylistically, it's closer in style to the 2014 with its purity, balance, and elegance, yet it brings plenty of fruit and depth. Classic red and black fruit, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, and cedar pencil notes define the aromatics, and it's balanced and has a layered, seamless mouthfeel as well as a great finish. I would be thrilled with a case in the cellar, and it's going to drink well for three decades." - Jeb Dunnuck, (10/19/2023) Ratings: 95, Drink: 2023-205

"The 2017 Haut-Bailly is racy and polished to the core, with no hard edges and just exceptional beauty. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice, new leather, incense, and grilled herb overtones infuse the 2017 with striking layers of nuance, but it is the wine's feel that really elevates it into the realm of Pessac-Léognan's best. The 2017 is an elegant and exceptionally understated Haut-Bailly." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (03/11/2020), Ratings: 95

"Grilled caramel notes set against sappy black fruit show classic Haut-Bailly balance, with savoury cassis and bilberry shot through with liquorice root and finely-spun tannins that tiptoe across the palate. Less monolithic than the 2016 or 2018, clear that this is going to be ready to drink sooner. Harvest September 13 to 29. 4% Cabernet France completes the blend. The last vintage under Bob Wilmers." - Jane Anson, Decanter, (07/30/2020), Ratings: 95, Drink: 2025-2042