2007 Haut Bailly
By Chateau Haut Bailly
2007 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
To comprehend the 2007 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly is to understand a year of contrasts and challenges, yet one which is remembered for its redemptive qualities. The 2007 vintage in Pessac-Leognan was not given to easy praise; it was a year that demanded skill and patience, traits that are second nature to the vintners at Chateau Haut Bailly.
Intriguing Harvest, Compelling Flavours
With a growing season marked by a tepid summer and an unusual amount of April frost, the 2007 harvest required astute judgement. Those who awaited the right moment were rewarded. The 2007 Haut Bailly showcases this meticulous timing with its balanced profile. While overshadowed by the acclaim of neighbouring years, this vintage has quietly ascended to reveal considerable merit.
One savours an intricate layering of flavours when encountering the 2007 Haut Bailly. There is a finesse here; ripe tannins deliver a structured yet supple canvas, upon which dark fruit notes and a subtle peppery tenseness play out their dance. The nuanced fragrance bears testimony to the elegance of the wine, unveiling soft whispers of earthy minerals and a lingering hint of tobacco – a nod to the terroir's evocative power.
A Sage Investment Amidst Bordeaux’s Giants
For the astute wine investor, it is clear that this vintage stands as a fine testament to Chateau Haut Bailly's commitment to excellence even under adversity. What was once considered an 'off-year' proves to possess distinct ageing potential, now showing signs of peaking beautifully—a true connoisseur’s gem waiting to be unearthed amongst Bordeaux's giants.
In closing, one finds that investing in the 2007 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly is tantamount to investing in a sliver of winemaking resilience. As this vintage reaches its apogee, it becomes an eloquent addition to any collection—a conversation piece that speaks of refined elegance amidst climatic tribulations.
Market price (HKD)
HK$5,720.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
60
Scores and tasting notes
An extremely complex bouquet of cedar, unsmoked cigar tobacco, berry fruit, and earth is followed by a medium-bodied, silky textured wine that builds incrementally, impressing the taster with its purity, overall equilibrium, and length. It is a quintessentially, elegant, flavorful wine to drink now and over the next 12-14 years.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #188 April 2010
Tasted at Berry Brother & Rudd’s vertical. The 2007 has a very commendable nose considering the growing season: fresh with no sign of any under-ripeness. With aeration there are touches of wild strawberry, redcurrant and a little briary. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite juicy tannins. The Merlot is dominating the front of the mouth despite it representing just 26% of the blend. It has a fleshy mouthfeel and a sensual finish with a twist of spice on the aftertaste. Drink from 2015. Tasted October 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jan 2013