2012 Château Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- Cabernet Sauvignon (60%),Merlot (40%)
Ready - youthful
- Neal Martin MW
- 94/100
- Jancis Robinson MW
- 16.5+/20
- 17.5+/20
- James Molesworth
- 90-93/100
- Robert Parker
- 91-93/100
Product: 20128006996
Description
Not many châteaux in Bordeaux are blessed with as fine a terroir and a chatelaine as exquisite as Véronique Sanders, but Ch. Haut-Bailly has both. Véronique mentioned that after the highs of 2009 (£450.00/6) and 2010 (£516.00/6), she wanted to get her 2012 back within the reach of buyers perhaps ‘priced-out’ as well as attract some new ones.
The 2012 is a commendable reduction on the 2011 (£294.00/6) – and it is a very fine Ch. Haut Bailly indeed. It has great depth, and a warmth, but with structure there too , with all that old-vine intensity and classis Graves freshness that makes this one of the few Bordeaux to consider every vintage. It will take on more volume in time and prove as rewarding as any Haut-Bailly of the last 15 years. For me it is one of the wines of the vintage (true, it always is..).
Tom Cave Cellar Plan Manager
Possessing a warm and heavy coco content, Ch. Haut-Bailly has a dark, rich, chocolate nose which is outstanding and lures you in like a siren. It has a sumptuous, unctuousness texture and weight which would hint at a far more decadent year. I am not quite sure how Véronique and her team have pulled off yet another superlative wine that once again out-performs several of the First Growths, but I am delighted that she has. It was one of the most striking wines we tasted in Bordeaux; all we need now is a little bit of corrective pricing and it will be an essential case to add to our cellars. Drink 2020-2035.
Simon Staples, Asia Director
The 2012 is a commendable reduction on the 2011 (£294.00/6) – and it is a very fine Ch. Haut Bailly indeed. It has great depth, and a warmth, but with structure there too , with all that old-vine intensity and classis Graves freshness that makes this one of the few Bordeaux to consider every vintage. It will take on more volume in time and prove as rewarding as any Haut-Bailly of the last 15 years. For me it is one of the wines of the vintage (true, it always is..).
Tom Cave Cellar Plan Manager
Possessing a warm and heavy coco content, Ch. Haut-Bailly has a dark, rich, chocolate nose which is outstanding and lures you in like a siren. It has a sumptuous, unctuousness texture and weight which would hint at a far more decadent year. I am not quite sure how Véronique and her team have pulled off yet another superlative wine that once again out-performs several of the First Growths, but I am delighted that she has. It was one of the most striking wines we tasted in Bordeaux; all we need now is a little bit of corrective pricing and it will be an essential case to add to our cellars. Drink 2020-2035.
Simon Staples, Asia Director
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2012
Alcohol % 13
Maturity Ready - youthful
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon (60%),Merlot (40%)
Body Medium Bodied
Producer Château Haut-Bailly
Critics reviews
Neal Martin MW 94/100
The 2012 Haut Bailly is a brilliant wine for the vintage. It has a very intense bouquet with scents of blackberry, bilberry, cedar and a touch of pencil lead. This is very well defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, certainly one of the most structured Pessac-Lognan wines that I have encountered, yet it is struck through with wonderful balance and focus. It tightens up a little on the finish, a 2012 built for long-term drinking pleasure, and as such, I would afford it five or six more years in bottle if wishing to experience this in full flight. Tasted March 2017.Neil Martin - 28/07/2017
Jancis Robinson MW 16.5+/20
Dark with a purple rim. Lifted, appetising nose. Racy and flattering even if without enormous concentration. Flattering mouthfeel. No rusticity here! Though perhaps a little alcohol on the dry, slightly angular finish. A menthol note. jancis_robinson_mw - JancisRobinson.com - April 2013
17.5+/20
Superb colour, fine depth of earthy fruit, slightly green now, but natural richness and fragrance for a very good future.
James Molesworth 90-93/100
Very pure, with dusty cherry, plum and cassis fruit flavors, featuring a suave finish threaded with warm stone and licorice notes. Shows solid length for the vintage. Tasted non-blind. james_molesworth, Wine Spectator, April 8 2013
Robert Parker 91-93/100
While the 2012 Haut-Bailly is not as powerful or rich as the 2009 and 2010, it is classically elegant, racy and noble. This medium-bodied effort is the poster child for elegance, finesse, balance and equilibrium. The Cantemerle of Pessac-Leognan? Its deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by a sweet nose of black cherries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and a touch of spicy oak. This medium-bodied, pretty wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and last for two decades. The grand vin has been impressive under the administration of Veronique Sanders and her boss, Robert Wilmers, who has given her carte blanche to do whatever is necessary. robert_parker - Wine Advocate #206 - Apr 2013
About this wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most famous red wine grape in the world and one of the most widely planted.
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Chateau Haut-Bailly
Château Haut-Bailly is a Graves Cru Classé estate that has really hit form in the last 5-7 years. Haut-Bailly was bought by the Sanders family in 1955 and was run by Jean Sanders until 1998 when Robert G. Wilmers, an American banker, purchased it. It is located in the commune of Léognan, which is usually more associated with white wine production.
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