Haut Bailly 2001

Some might prefer this to the excellent 2000. It's just as dense and rich but perhaps doesn't have the same intensity and complexity as the 2000. But a clearly outstanding wine. Full body with plenty of dark fruits, chocolate and hints of earth. Drink or hold.

Tasted at Berry Brother & Rudd's vertical. The 2001 is more expressive and generous on the nose than the 2000 and for me, it exudes more Graves-like character thanks to the 65% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are scents of blackberry, pencil shaving, a touch of fresh black olive with tertiary aromas developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied but rounder, perhaps fatter than the previous vintage. Blackberry, graphite, a saline tang and touches of white pepper towards the finish that fans out nicely. Tasted October 2011.

The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2001 Haut-Bailly reveals sweet, pure, elegant aromas of currants, toast, and cigar smoke. With wonderful sweetness, fine tannins, a delicate, nuanced personality, and a long, persistent finish, this well-made, impressive Pessac-Leognan will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 12-14 years.