Château Haut-Bailly (Cru Classé de Graves) 2008 (750ml)

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Price: $165.99

Producer	Château Haut-Bailly
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Pessac-Léognan
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage	2008
Sku	111804
Size	750ml
ABV	13.00%

Château Haut-Bailly Description

Just a stone’s throw away from the city of Bordeaux, Château Haut-Bailly, one of the most prestigious Cru Classé de Graves, sits majestically in a 30 hectare (74 acres) vineyard at the heart of the Graves region on the left bank of the river Garonne.

When tasted, the Château Haut-Bailly reveals a very important power but balanced by an exceptional finesse. It has all the qualities of Pessac-Léognan wines and is the reference.

The 2008 harvest will remain in the history books as one of the longest and latest of the decade: 10 days of grape picking spread out over 5 weeks! The harvest began on September 25 for the youngest merlots, while the last cabernet sauvignons were brought in from 0ctober 17 to 23, in perfect health.

Low yields and a late year are a strong indication of excellent quality. The 2008 vintage is rich in color, has great vivacity, structure and balance, with velvety tannins that are seductive and powerful: both striking and soft!

Critical Acclaim

RP96
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 Haut-Bailly possesses incredible complexity. Tell-tale notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, damp earth, black cherries and black currants intermixed with a hint of subtle barbecue smoke are present in this classic, quintessential Graves. Medium-bodied with an emerging, precocious complexity, it is a super-pure, beautifully textured, long wine that can be drunk now or cellared for 20-25 years. Bravo!
JD96
Jeb Dunnuck
A seamless, elegant wine (which is the hallmark of this estate), the 2008 Haut Bailly offers a beautiful perfume of tobacco leaf, currants, graphite, and hints of smoked earth. It’s medium-bodied, concentrated, with terrific purity of fruit and fine tannin, and can be drunk anytime over the coming two decades.
D94
Decanter
Beautifully balanced and concentrated, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominant in the fruit expression in terms of the controlled, elegant, savoury and totally moreish blackberry and cassis fruits. This remains extremely young, closed in on itself, not quite ready to reveal all its facets, but has the grip that suggests just how good this wine is, finishing up with layers of plum, slate and liquorice. Particularly late harvest in 2008 right through to October 23 (beginning September 25), one of the latest on record, and the latest of the decade. Highlights how sure and confident was the winemaking at Haut-Bailly ten years on from Bob Wilmers arrival. Drinking Window 2020 - 2040
WE93
Wine Enthusiast
While at this young stage there may be toasty aromas, there is also intense, perfumed fruit. This complex, distinguished wine is polished, with plenty of bright fruits and acidity.
JS92
James Suckling
Wonderful nose of decadent fruit and chocolate, with hints of meat and flowers. Full bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a spicy, silky and long finish. Tight now, but so fine and dense. Give it four to five years of bottle age. So lovely. Best after 2013.
WS90
Wine Spectator
Racy and slightly taut, with red currant and cherry pit notes laced with grilled herb and warm stone. There’s a sinewy edge on the finish, with more minerality than fruit for now, but this adds some flesh as it airs, showing subtle persistence. Drink now through 2016.