Chateau Haut-Bailly "II" 2022
(Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France) - [JS 94] [DM 92] [WA 91] [TWI 91] [JD 91] [VM 91]

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.

A true second wine, Haut-Bailly•II, formerly known as La Parde Haut-Bailly, has been produced since 1967 from the same plots of vines as its elder brother. A different expression of the terroir, it is the fruit of an equally meticulous selection and vinified with the same expertise. It reflects all the pleasure and finesse characteristic of Haut-Bailly.

The 2022 is comprised of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points – James Suckling:
"Aromas of berries, dark chocolate and walnuts on both the nose and palate. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and spicy. The tannins frame this nicely, with an intensity that makes it slightly chewy. 65% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and the 2% petit verdot. Second wine of Haut-Bailly. Give this some time. Drink after 2027.” (Jan 2025)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Beautiful fragrance on the nose, so floral and aromatic. Clean and crystalline on the palate, smooth and supple but so clean and pure. Quite light, you can tell they didn’t push this, it feels calm and gentle with creamy blueberry fruit and soft black cherries. Lovely approachability and ease of drinking. Quietly seductive, has the power and concentration of the vintage but keeps a sleek and straight frame with bite and crunch. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.8pH. As of this vintage, the 6ha Château le Pape production will go into this wine and Haut-Bailly's third wine. Consultants Christophe Olivier and Axel Marchal.” – Georgina Hindle (Apr 2023)

91 Points – Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Haut-Bailly II, a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, reveals a gourmand, elegant bouquet of roses, dark berries and flowers. Medium-bodied, round and supple, it's juicy yet has an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a fresh, ethereal finish. It's very classic.” – Yohan Castaing (Mar 2025)

91 Points – The Wine Independent:
”The second wine is a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, blended in spring in the year after the harvest, followed by an élevage in 30% new oak and 70% used oak, for between 14 and 15 months. This accounts for 30% of the crop, the remaining 20% going into the third wine. This is the first year Haut Bailly II incorporated fruit from nearby Le Pape. A savoury perfume on the nose here, with a little blackberry and peppered strawberry, layered with a little tobacco oak. The palate is fresh, savoury, charming, with lightly dried blackberry and cranberry notes, set in a supple texture wrapped in a firm shell. Good acidity here, and fine tannic grip. Lots of energy in the finish. An attractive second wine which probably won’t need too long before you can drink it, so softly integrated and tight knit are the tannins. I can still see this drinking well ten years from now though. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%" – Chris Kissack (Jun 2025)

91 Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
"Based on 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Bailly II is medium ruby-hued with a ripe, opulent style in its mulled red and black cherries, licorice, dried flowers, and roasted herb-like aromatics. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, round, seamless second wine that's going to drink nicely over the coming decade." (Feb 2025)

91 Points – Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Haut-Bailly II has a deep garnet color. The bouquet is classic and "cool" in style, with more black than red fruit tones, light marine scents, a hint of iris petal and a slight touch of espresso. It has fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded, fleshy entry. It builds gently in the mouth with a hint of black pepper and sage toward the finish. Quite open with no hard edges, this will be open for business not too many months after release. It is very fine.” – Neal Martin (Feb 2025)