Château Haut-Bailly Château Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan 2011 3L

The saturated ruby/purple-hued 2011 Haut-Bailly exhibits a glorious, subtle, noble set of aromatics consisting of red and black currants, sweet cherries, graphite, truffles and a faint hint of wood spice. The wine hits the palate with the profound elegance and purity that have become so much a characteristic under Wilmers and Sanders. Still youthful, with good acidity and freshness, this brilliant, medium-bodied 2011 needs another 4–5 years of bottle age, and should evolve effortlessly for 20–25 years.

Shows a grippy feel, with lots of briar, pastis and plum sauce notes rolled together and driving through the sappy finish. Well-embedded acidity pushes everything along, while a pure echo of fruit hangs through the finish. Should blossom with cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2028. (James Molesworth)

Packed with dense tannins and firm fruit, this is a big, powerful wine. It is initially austere, but with time it becomes more rounded, with layers of wood tannins and rich fruit.