Chateau Haut-Bailly 2014
(Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France) - [JS 95] [WE 95] [WA 94] [JD 94] [VM 94] [WS 94] [TWI 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 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% 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.

Perfect weather – dry and radiant – meant that the harvest could take place over a 22-day period (with 12 days of picking). The wines featured beautiful aromas as well as a velvety texture and fresh fruit. 2014: a vibrant vintage of great style.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
“A very well-made, modern wine with ripe cherry and cassis notes but rather discrete oak. The bright fruit and lively acidity balance the moderately dry tannins very well, and the finish is long and quite complex. Compacted. Needs time to open. Beautiful.” (Feb 2017)

95 Points & Cellar Selection - Wine Enthusiast:
“Initial tight acidity in this crisp wine gives way to smooth rich black fruits. This already has a fine balance with its ripe juiciness and delicious red-berry flavors. It is going to develop into a very fine wine. Drink from 2024.” – Roger Voss (Apr 2017)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
“The 2014 Haut Bailly has a charming, quite intense bouquet with layers of blackberry, raspberry coulis, black olive and melted tar scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with superb density and precision towards the finish. This is a classy number and alongside Domaine de Chevalier, it is one of the standouts from the appellation in this vintage.” – Neal Martin (Mar 2017)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“A wine that has always drunk well, the 2014 Château Haut-Bailly has a charming, forward, yet also incredibly elegant profile as well as terrific freshness in its ripe darker berry fruit. It shows complex floral, spicy, and lead pencil nuances with time in the glass, and it's a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated Haut-Bailly with nothing out of place, fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. This Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend (66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot) is going to continue drinking spectacularly well over the coming 20-25 years.” (Oct 2023)

94 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2014 Haut-Bailly has a very attractive bouquet. Blackberry, raspberry, rose petals, tobacco and incense are well defined and very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, fresh and focused with a very harmonious and elegant finish. This is beginning to drink beautifully now and will continue to meliorate. Superb. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château.” – Neal Martin (Apr 2022)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This shows admirable density for the vintage, with a strong loamy echo amid the core of dark currant, fig and plum compote flavors. Loads of tobacco and tar details join in on the finish, while the fruit easily keeps pace. Rock-solid. Best from 2020 through 2035. 6,665 cases made.” – JM (Mar 2017)

93 Points - The Wine Independent:
“A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44%, the 2014 Haut-Bailly has a deep garnet color with a touch of brick. It slowly emerges from the glass with notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and dried cranberries, followed by hints of iron ore, cigar box and chargrill. The medium-bodied palate delivers compelling tension with firm, grainy tannins, and layers of evolving red and black fruits, finishing long and ferrous.” – LPB (Apr 2024)