Château Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan 2016 (Pre-Arrival)

Jeb Dunnuck : 100 Points

(10/19/2023) I obviously underrated the 2016 Château Haut-Bailly on release, and it easily tops out my scale. A hypothetical blend of the 2009 and 2010, it has the opulence and sexiness of a ripe, sunny vintage (à la 2009) paired with incredible purity, concentration, structure, and elegance (à la 2010). Incredible aromatics of cassis, liquid violets, cedar pencil, flowers, and minerals give way to a full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered Haut-Bailly offering ultra-fine tannins, flawless overall balance, nothing out of place, and the class to drink well today yet evolve for 30-40 years. Absolute perfection in wine, this is a modern-day Legend from director Veronique Sanders. Maturity: 2023 - 2063.

Wine Advocate : 98 Points

(11/13/2018) The 2016 Haut-Bailly is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. The nose opens with beautiful floral notes of violets and lavender accented with earthy notions and sparks of crushed rocks over a core of kirsch, cassis and wild blueberries. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has layer upon layer of red, black and blue fruits intermingled with earth and mineral hints leading to a very long, perfumed finish. Drink Date: 2023 - 2046.

James Suckling : 98 Points

(1/30/2026) Incense, dried herb and dark fruit aromas. Very precise and vibrant, with great definition and detail. Fruit, acidity and tannins work together to give the wine a chiseled, youthful and energetic profile. A pleasure to taste now, but will hold. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.