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.
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Oct 2023)
Structured, powerful, balanced, a fabulous Haut-Bailly that speaks of the effortless elegance of this place, yet with the concentration and power of the vintage. Great stuff, just a stunning wine. Denis Dubourdieu last year as consultant, Gabriel Vialard winemaker, Véronique Sanders director, 55% new oak for ageing.
100 points, Jane Anson (Feb 2026)
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.
98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Nov 2018)
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.
98 points, Jacobo García Andrade, James Suckling (Jan 2026)
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