Region | |
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Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Haut-Bailly
The 2004 Haut-Bailly is a candidate for the finest wine of the appellation. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of scorched earth, sweet black currants, cherries, and a hint of pain grille. Light on its feet, but substantially flavored, it possesses stunning purity, good acidity, ripe tannin, and abundant flavor as well as length. It builds incrementally and subtly in the mouth, but it’s the real deal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2024.
Neat, lively, well-focussed nose. Bright fruit, definitely Graves. Fine tannins. Quite vibrant; should not surely be reproached for being 'only' medium weight.
A superb success, the 2004 exhibits exceptional concentration, elegance, and an almost surreal finesse-infused character along with firm tannin, sweet, concentrated red currant, black currant, and cherry fruit, and subtle notes of spicy new oak. Displaying fresh acidity as well as remarkable intensity and persistence in the mouth, and medium-bodied, concentrated flavors, it should reach full maturity in 5-7 years, and last for two decades or more.
This is an estate to watch now that American banking kingpin, Robert Wilmers, has turned loose a brilliant team that includes the "retired" Jean-Bernard Delmas of Haut-Brion as a consultant. One of the finest Haut-Baillys produced in many years, the 2004 is a wine of great class, nobility, and pedigree. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by subtle scents of smoky oak, sweet raspberries and kirsch. It possesses medium body, impressive precision, a beautiful texture, a gracious mouthfeel, no hard edges, and a long, subtle finish. A brilliant effort for the vintage, it should be at its apogee between 2009-2020.