2010 Haut Bailly
By Chateau Haut Bailly
2010 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
The venerated 2010 vintage from Chateau Haut Bailly casts a long shadow over its antecedents with an assemblage wherein the depths of its complexity are matched only by the elegance of its structure. I have meticulously chronicled the climatic journey of 2010, noting how a sublime autumn granted this vintage an elevated poise on the palate, distinguishing it from its peers within the illustrious Pessac-Leognan appellation.
Investment Grade Elegance
The sageness of investment in the 2010 Haut Bailly does not merely stem from its poised refinement or the storied provenance of Chateau Haut Bailly. Rather, it is the intersection of outstanding cellar potential and consistently escalating acclaim that positions this vintage firmly within portfolios of discerning collectors.
A Season to Remember: The Making of a Benchmark Vintage
The 2010 viticultural season in Pessac-Leognan was marked by optimal conditions: a dry and moderately warm spring led into a splendidly sunny summer, culminating in a September that offered just enough rain to usher in an exceptional harvest. This meteorological melody has graced the wine with a fine synthesis of ripeness and vivacity; rich dark fruits fuse with earthy undertones, while cigar box and black truffle notes offer an ode to classic sophistication. A reverent acidity affords balance, hinting at a longevity that wise investors admire.
Its tannic backbone, robust yet impeccably integrated, provides a canvas for the fruit to dance upon—a ballet seen rarely outside of such esteemed years. Lingering on the mouth with a persistence akin to an old friend's warm embrace, the 2010 Haut Bailly encapsulates true vinous nobility.
In Summary: A Vintage Distinguished by Time and Terroir
The 2010 Haut Bailly harmoniously interweaves the essence of its singular terroir with a particularly gracious year. One uncorks not just a bottle but a chapter of enological history—an exemplary Bordeaux to savour now or allow to unfurl its virtues with grace across ensuing decades. As time marches inexorably forward, this acclaimed offering from Chateau Haut Bailly will reside at the nexus where passion for wine meets prudent investment—and rightfully so.
Market price (GBP)
£1,300.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
72.22
Scores and tasting notes
Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb. Don't touch until 2020.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, November 14th 2013
Deep plum/purple, Haut-Bailly's 2010 required some coaxing to appreciate its subtle notes of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and creme de cassis as well as its touches of pomegranate and forest floor. The oak is pushed far into the background and the tannins are extremely silky, but the intensity of the wine is profound and the finish lingers for close to 55 seconds. This wine is ripe yet delicate, powerful yet stylish, and essentially resembles a remarkable fashion design from a house of haute couture. This wine needs a good 7-8 years of bottle age and should keep for 40-50+ years. This quintessential example of pure finesse, elegance, harmony and delicacy is combined into a wine that lingers intensely with near-perfect poise and character. Haut-Bailly's ethereal character is virtually unmatched in Bordeaux. Normally, winemaker/winemaker Veronique Sanders fashions a blend that approximates 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. That was the exact blend of her 2009, and I doubt the 2010 deviates significantly from that.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #194 May 2011
Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru and at the estate. The Haut-Bailly 2010 has a sophisticated bouquet with ripe small dark cherries, bilberry, cedar and lots of lush dark plums, all with fine delineation. The palate is full bodied with a rounded smooth spicy entry. The layers of plush fruit somewhat obscure the backbone here, whilst the finish is imbued with great tension and depth. It is a mass of wine at the moment, spherical in the mouth and will need a decade to find its personality and express its terroir. Tasted November 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2013