2008 Château Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux France Wine Tasting Note

65752 Views

2008
94
Deep ruby in color, the wine is already starting to show secondary characteristics. Spice, tar, tobacco, leather, cedar, red fruits and wet forest notes create the nose. There is ample layers of ripe, fruit. On the palate the wine is full bodied, fresh and classic. The tannins are soft, but present, demanding another 5 years in the cellar for the wine to flesh out and soften from here. The quality is there, but at the moment, the wine is a bit on the strict side.

Deep ruby in color, the wine is already starting to show secondary characteristics. Spice, tar, tobacco, leather, cedar, red fruits and wet forest notes create the nose. There is ample layers of ripe, fruit. On the palate the wine is full bodied, fresh and classic. The tannins are soft, but present, demanding another 5 years in the cellar for the wine to flesh out and soften from here. The quality is there, but at the moment, the wine is a bit on the strict side.

5,638 Views   Tasted
Medium/full bodied, with smoke, forest floor, mint, cassis and blackberry aromatics. Fresh and elegant, with sweetness to the red fruits in the mid-palate and finish, at 10, this is coming around. Decant for 2-3 hours or wait a few more years.

Medium/full bodied, with smoke, forest floor, mint, cassis and blackberry aromatics. Fresh and elegant, with sweetness to the red fruits in the mid-palate and finish, at 10, this is coming around. Decant for 2-3 hours or wait a few more years.

6,468 Views   Tasted
Right off the bat, it was easy to find the tobacco, smoke and red fruits. Not quite high pitched, but there was a lot of freshness going on here. The finish was vibrant, with all its fresh, juicy, cassis, blackberries, spice and cigar wrappers. Another 5 years will add a lot of softness and nuances. This is really very good wine, and it sells for a song, for a wine of this qualithy. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the harvest took place from September 25 to October 23.

Right off the bat, it was easy to find the tobacco, smoke and red fruits. Not quite high pitched, but there was a lot of freshness going on here. The finish was vibrant, with all its fresh, juicy, cassis, blackberries, spice and cigar wrappers. Another 5 years will add a lot of softness and nuances. This is really very good wine, and it sells for a song, for a wine of this qualithy. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the harvest took place from September 25 to October 23.

6,063 Views   Tasted
Classic in all the right ways, the wine offers smoky, dark red fruits, spice, wet earth and cigar box aromatics. Fresh, balanced, young and vibrant, another 5 years should soften and expand the experience.

Classic in all the right ways, the wine offers smoky, dark red fruits, spice, wet earth and cigar box aromatics. Fresh, balanced, young and vibrant, another 5 years should soften and expand the experience.

7,290 Views   Tasted
70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot combined to produced one of the top wines of the vintage. Spicy cassis, cocoa, oak, blackberry and black cherry aromas paired well with structured, concentrated, full bodied wine. There was ample depth and ripe tannins to allow this young Bordeaux wine to age perfectly.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot combined to produced one of the top wines of the vintage. Spicy cassis, cocoa, oak, blackberry and black cherry aromas paired well with structured, concentrated, full bodied wine. There was ample depth and ripe tannins to allow this young Bordeaux wine to age perfectly.

10,581 Views   Tasted
This exciting chateau is on a hot streak that is not in danger of quitting. They have been remarkably consistent since 2005. Earth, truffle, smoke, forest floor, cassis, bitter chocolate scents make up the aromatics. The fireworks continue in the mouth with round, opulent textures and a suave, velvety, dark berry and red fruit filled finish.

This exciting chateau is on a hot streak that is not in danger of quitting. They have been remarkably consistent since 2005. Earth, truffle, smoke, forest floor, cassis, bitter chocolate scents make up the aromatics. The fireworks continue in the mouth with round, opulent textures and a suave, velvety, dark berry and red fruit filled finish.

12,019 Views   Tasted
2008 Haut Bailly is loaded with spice, earth, cassis, blackberry, smoke, oak and tobacco scents. Full bodied and filled with plush, ripe fruit, this suave wine fills your palate with dark berries and earth. While different in style if you cannot afford Haut Brion or La Mission Haut Brion and you want a great vintage of Pessac Leognan, you cannot do better than Haut Bailly today. 94 Pts

2008 Haut Bailly is loaded with spice, earth, cassis, blackberry, smoke, oak and tobacco scents. Full bodied and filled with plush, ripe fruit, this suave wine fills your palate with dark berries and earth. While different in style if you cannot afford Haut Brion or La Mission Haut Brion and you want a great vintage of Pessac Leognan, you cannot do better than Haut Bailly today. 94 Pts

8,779 Views   Tasted
08 Château Haut Bailly expresses oak, licorice, jammy black fruit, coffee, and cranberry in the nose, along with hints of smoke and caramel. Full bodied and concentrated with ripe, fresh fruit with ripe, elegant tannins. The wine ends with a long note of dark, black fruit, with blueberry accents. This is a pretty and expressive style of Graves. 94-96 pts

08 Château Haut Bailly expresses oak, licorice, jammy black fruit, coffee, and cranberry in the nose, along with hints of smoke and caramel. Full bodied and concentrated with ripe, fresh fruit with ripe, elegant tannins. The wine ends with a long note of dark, black fruit, with blueberry accents. This is a pretty and expressive style of Graves. 94-96 pts

8,914 Views   Tasted

When to Drink Chateau Haut Bailly, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Haut Bailly needs time before the tannins fade and the wine can show its true complexities and character. Haut Bailly needs at least 10-15 years of aging in good vintages until it starts being ready to be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for 2-4 hours or more.

This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Haut Bailly offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 15-40 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Haut Bailly with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Haut Bailly is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Haut Bailly is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Haut Bailly is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta as well as cheese.

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