2009 Château Haut-Bailly

Château Haut-Bailly is in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, and it is one of the Premier Crus of the classification of Graves wines of 1953 and 1959. The estate was established in the 16th century but got its name in the 17th century, when it was purchased by Firmin Le Bailly, a Parisian banker. It was bought and sold numerous times during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Today it is owned by an American banker, Robert G. Wilmers, and managed by the grand daughter of the previous owners. The 79-acre estate is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. About 100,000 bottles are produced annually.

Pessac-Léognan was created in 1987 from the northern part of the left bank Graves appellation. Before then it was simply part of Graves, or sometimes it was called Haut-Graves. Unlike many other Bordeaux appellations, Pessac-Léognan is known for both red and dry white wines, although its reds are more famous. The appellation includes ten communes and the area’s most important châteaux, including Château Haut-Brion, the only non-Médoc estate included in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. There are 2,964 acres of vineyards in Pessac-Léognan and 16 classified growth estates. The main red grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. White grapes grown are Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, with a little Muscadelle. Pessac-Léognan is considered to have the best terroir of the greater Graves region.