2001 Château Haut-Bailly
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Tasting notes
Cabernet dominant in character, with a dark fruit emphasis, elegantly fading but still savoury and elegant, a wine where subtle nuances layer up and reveal a pillow of fine tannins, tobacco, cigar box, violet, peony and pulses of minerality that keep the palate bouyant. A wonderful vintage that has reigned over the 2000 for the first two decades but I would now suggest looking to the 2000 over the coming years. Harvest September 24 to October 11. Second year of Veronique Sanders as CEO, Denis Dubourdieu consultant. 50% new oak.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2001 Château Haut-Bailly showed well, with a bright, fresher, more medium-bodied style. It has lots of textbook Haut-Bailly tobacco and cigar notes as well as sweet red and black fruit, fine tannins, a soft, supple mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's fully mature.
The 2001 Haut-Bailly has a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon than the previous vintage. It has a tightly packed nose with brambly black fruit, cedar, mint and star anis, maybe just a little "unruly" at the moment. The palate is well balanced with a touch more cohesion than the 2000. A liberal sprinkling of white pepper plus clove and bay leaf, gently fans out towards the finish. This is drinking perfectly now. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot. Dark core. Touch of evolution but less marked than the 2000. Poised and balanced on the nose. Dark fruit with menthol freshness. Elegant and flowing on the palate, the tannins very fine. More linear than the 2000 but perhaps a hint of dryness on the finish. (JL)
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.