Winery History: Chateau Haut Bailly, located in Bordeaux’s Left Bank Pessac-Léognan appellation, boasts over four centuries of history, with its vineyard origins tracing back to the 16th century. Situated near Léognan on gravelly soil, the estate’s terroir is ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the 17th century, Parisian banker Firmin Le Bailly purchased and named the estate, establishing its modern foundation. By the 19th century, the winery gained prominence, recognized as a top-tier estate despite not being included in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
In the early 20th century, the estate experienced ownership changes and quality fluctuations. In 1955, Belgian merchant Daniel Sanders acquired it, implementing vineyard improvements and cellar modernization, enhancing consistency. In 1998, American banker Robert G. Wilmers took over, investing in sustainable agriculture and precision winemaking while preserving traditional methods like hand-harvesting and gravity-flow fermentation. In 2012, a state-of-the-art cellar was built, further elevating quality. Following Wilmers’ passing in 2017, his family and General Manager Véronique Sanders have continued the legacy, cementing the estate’s status as a Pessac-Léognan benchmark.
Chateau Haut Bailly 2022 Introduction
Background
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Winery: Chateau Haut Bailly is renowned for producing structured, elegant red wines with strong aging potential. Its 28-hectare vineyard, on gravel and clay soils, is ideally suited for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
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Vintage: 2022 is an exceptional Bordeaux vintage, with hot, dry summers yielding grapes with high ripeness, excellent quality, and balanced acidity and tannins.
Winemaking and Characteristics
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Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (~60%), Merlot (~36%), Petit Verdot (~4%). Cabernet provides structure, Merlot adds softness, and Petit Verdot enhances aromatic complexity.
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Winemaking: Hand-harvested, carefully sorted grapes undergo fermentation in stainless steel and oak vats, followed by 18 months of aging in French oak barrels (~50% new).
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Alcohol Strength: 14.5% ABV, offering a rich yet balanced profile.
Flavor Profile
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Aroma: Intense blackberry, cassis, and violet, with graphite, vanilla, toasted bread, and spice (clove, black pepper) notes.
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Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of black fruit, tobacco, and cocoa, supported by a robust structure.
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Finish: Long and elegant, blending fruit and minerality with a clean, lingering aftertaste.
Tasting Recommendations
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Drinking Window: Drinkable from 2025, with a 20-30 year aging potential, peaking between 2030-2045.
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Serving Temperature: 16-18°C, using a Bordeaux glass, with 1-2 hours of decanting.
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Pairing: Pairs well with roasted beef, lamb, game, or hard cheeses.