2013 Haut Bailly
By Chateau Haut Bailly
2013 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
The formidable challenges posed by the 2013 vintage in Bordeaux did not deter the resilient and skilled team at Chateau Haut Bailly; their efforts were deftly translated into a noteworthy release of the 2013 Haut Bailly. With my palate having explored numerous vintages from this illustrious estate, I find the 2013 iteration to be a testament to the finesse and adaptability inherent to this venerable winery.
A Vintage of Vigilance and Virtue
Adversity often breeds excellence, and this is precisely what transpired in Pessac-Leognan for the 2013 Haut Bailly. An earnest reflection of the vintage's cooler conditions is captured within the bottle. The mercurial weather of the year necessitated meticulous vineyard management, with harvesting conducted under the most scrupulous selection procedures to ensure only grapes of optimum maturity were vinified.
Structured Elegance
The result is an eloquent expression of the terroir—a polished wine with graceful ageing capability. On sampling, one is greeted with an aromatic bouquet that marries blackcurrants with subtle hints of graphite, suggestive of its refined structure. On the palate, the 2013 Haut Bailly demonstrates poise and precision; tannins are silky yet supportive, propelling flavours of dark fruit interlaced with whispers of cedar and spice. The finish endures with an elegant persistence.
The Discerning Investor’s Choice
For fine wine investors seeking a sleeper vintage that offers approachability in its nascent years, yet promises considerable potential for cellaring, this offering from Chateau Haut Bailly is judicious. The 2013 Haut Bailly encapsulates a snapshot of resilience amidst nature's trials—a narrative that resonates well beyond the glass.
In a market that keenly rewards rarity and distinction, this challenging vintage emerges as a compelling protagonist—triumphant in delivering complexity and charm. Accordingly, the 2013 Haut Bailly from Chateau Haut Bailly positions itself as one of those intelligent acquisitions for those who appreciate subtlety nuanced by experience.
Current market price
£530.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
44.17
Scores and tasting notes
There are only 2,500 cases of the 2013 Haut-Bailly because yields were a microscopic 20 hectoliters per hectare. Made from a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, this elegant effort boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as a beautiful, intriguing bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis, plums and an underlying Graves earthiness. Layered with more texture and concentration than many of its peers, it will benefit from several years of cellaring, and should last an atypically long time of 20 years.
The harvest occurred at this beautiful estate in the heart of Pessac-Leognan between October 1-10. Production was tiny, and Veronique Sanders, the brilliant winemaker, was worried about pushing for too much extraction, so vinification was intelligently done in a gentle manner in order to extract the softest tannins possible.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014