2011 La Parde de Haut Bailly
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Tasting notes
The selection process has become much more draconian, as evidenced by the second wine, the 2011 La Parde De Haut-Bailly. A blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers a dark ruby/plum color, delicious red and black currant fruit intermixed with spice box and subtle wood notes, beautiful purity, and a quality that transcends some of the Haut-Baillys made in the sixties and seventies. A brilliant second wine as well as a sleeper of the vintage, it is supple enough to be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for 10-15+. Ever since the acquisition of Haut-Bailly by American banker Robert Wilmers, he and his winemaker Veronique Sanders have dramatically led this estate to the top of the qualitative pyramid.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Le Parde is the second wine of Cru Classé Château Haut-Bailly, sourced from vineyards located on 30 hectares of prime land in the heart of the Graves region on the left-bank of the river Garonne. The well-drained soil here combines sand and gravel over a bed of sand-stone and fossil shells. This year a hot spring triggered early flowering and fruit formation in May, and low yields of Cabernet Sauvignon were balanced by more generous production of Merlot. Harvest began in early September and the grapes were sorted in the vineyard before being destemmed. A three week long fermentation took place in vats at 26°C and the wine was then transferred to French oak barrels, 40% new and the 60% one year old to age for 16 months before bottling. Crimson with a pale rim. Correct and very dry. Mouth puckering. Correct but not much fun. (JR)
The La Parde de Haut-Bailly represents 40% of the crop and is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon (Merlot more than usual as the yields were higher.) It has a very fine, quite minerally bouquet with good delineation, a hint of chalk and graphite in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins, a little brusque and structured although that will soften by the time of bottling. The finish shows more fleshiness and it has good length. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
About the producer
Quality at this château, now one of Pessac-Léognan’s leading wine estates, has risen exponentially under the reign of Véronique Sanders, with the property known for crafting wines of elegance and poise.