Chateau Haut-Bailly 2012
(Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France) - [WA 94] [JD 94] [WE 94] [JS 94] [TWI 93] [VM 93] [WS 93]

About the Château:
Château Haut-Bailly is one of the most prestigious Crus Classés de Graves, situated at the gateway to the city of Bordeaux. Its 30-hectare (74-acre) vineyard lies at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, on the left bank of the Garonne river.

The mosaic-like vineyard is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Certain plots lie a full 20 metres higher than others, demonstrating the topological diversity for which Haut-Bailly is famous, and which allows for consistently superb quality. The variety of soils and the balance between higher and lower plots, which put greater or lesser hydric stress upon the vines, gives Haut-Bailly a unique ability to adapt and perform in both wetter and drier vintages.

Fruity, fresh and dense, the 2012 vintage has tight tannins and expresses the virtuosity of Haut-Bailly.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
“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-Léognan 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.” – Neal Martin (Jul 2017)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“In the same ballpark quality-wise as the 2006, 2008, and 2014, the 2012 Château Haut-Bailly has beautiful ripeness in its sweet red and black fruits as well as notes of smoky tobacco, tapenade, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a broad, rounded mouthfeel and shows the inherent elegance that's the hallmark of this terroir. It's still youthful but drinking brilliantly. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15+ years. Drink 20223-2039.” (Oct 2023)

94 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
“Very firm and closed up, this wine is a tough proposition at the moment. It has the weight to develop well along with richness. Acidity, sweet fruits and concentrated tannins will all come through strongly as the wine matures. Drink from 2020.” – Roger Voss (May 2015)

94 Points - James Suckling:
“This red shows intense blackberries, raspberries and strawberries on the nose, following through to a full body with refined yet firm tannins, fresh acidity and a delicate finish. The purity of fruit and finesse and texture of the tannins are all fantastic. Drink in 2019.” (Feb 2015)

93 Points - The Wine Independent:
“Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Haut-Bailly delivers plum preserves, warm cassis, and spice cake scents with touches of licorice and clove oil. Light to medium-bodied, with rounded tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the juicy black fruits, it finishes with an herbal lift.” – LPB (Feb 2023)

93 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2012 Haut-Bailly has more charm and fruit concentration than the 2011. it offers a mixture of red and black fruit, forest floor and hints of wild mushroom. The palate is built around quite firm tannins that soften with aeration. Fleshier than expected with a subtle savoury character segueing into a peppery and quite sustained finish. This is just reaching its drinking plateau. Excellent. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château.” - Neal Martin (Apr 2022)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
“Well-stuffed, with thick and muscular brambly structure that easily supports the core of macerated black currant, fig and boysenberry fruit flavors. A tarry edge coats the finish. More backwards than most of its peers at this early stage, but all the elements are in place. Best from 2018 through 2027. 6,665 cases made.” – JM (Mar 2015)