Château Haut-Bailly 2020

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.

"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." - Jeb Dunnuck (10/19/2023), Rating: 99, Drink: 2023-2075

"The 2020 Haut-Bailly opens in the glass with attractive aromas of cassis, sweet berries, loamy soil, violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's a concentrated, rather broad-shouldered wine built around a chassis of firm, powdery tannin that asserts itself on the finish. Haut-Bailly once rivaled Haut-Brion for the title of Pessac's most elegant wine, and I would love to see the team here ease off extraction, but this remains a strong effort that will reward patience." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (4/6/2023), Ratings: 94+, Drink: 2030-2055