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2018 Château Haut-Bailly

Light label condition issue

Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

99James Suckling

Complex and expressive nose, offering red and dark fruit, spices and pepper with wood and mushroom undertones. Fresh mussel shell and a hint of ink, too. Full-bodied with a fine texture and great balance between the acidity and the controlled, tannic structure. Very long finish.

98Jeb Dunnuck

...beautiful, classic expression of this terroir...gorgeous black cherry and cassis fruits interwoven with ample tobacco leaf, cedary herbs, earth, truffle, and floral nuances...shows a mix of cooler-climate, vibrant aromatics paired with a rich, concentrated, fresh style on the palate. It has plenty of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish.

97Vinous / IWC

Sweet, perfumed aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure add to its considerable allure. Ripe red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, licorice, cedar, tobacco and menthol are all woven together in an effortless...

96The Wine Advocate

...notes of blackberry pie, crème de cassis and black cherry compote, giving way to nuances of Chinese five spice, camphor, chocolate box and licorice with a touch of crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with plush textured, rich black fruits, supported by a lively backbone and finishing long and spicy.

96Wine Enthusiast

...swathes of rich fruit and a classic structure. Blackberry flavors layered with firm, dense tannins convey elegance and richness.

95Wine Spectator

Packed with steeped plum, blackberry and cassis flavors, this also sports licorice root, applewood and tar notes. Dense and shows a chewy edge, but it's seriously long, energetic and vibrant...

17Jancis Robinson

Headily exotic on the nose – really quite captivating.

PRODUCER

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.

REGION

France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan

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.

VINTAGE

2018 Château Haut-Bailly