1983 Haut Bailly

One of the stars of the day, tobacco, saffron, soot, blackberry, loganberry, sof leather, sandalwood and undergrowth notes. This is just charm in a glass, so finessed and luxuriously balanced, a wine you want to sink in to, and sit with, just enjoying the view. Only four magnums left at the chateau - now three! Owned by the Sanders family at the time, and this was before the establishment of the Pessac Léognan appellation a few years later.

The 1983 Haut-Bailly is showing some maturity on the rim. It has a lovely, elegant bouquet with red fruit, prune, a touch of grass cuttings and later with aeration, a hint of liquorice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Decent blackberry and cranberry fruit are laced with cedar and tobacco. Not long and a little rustic on the finish, yet still a thoroughly enjoyable Haut-Bailly that is probably best consumed in the near future. Tasted from an ex-cellar bottle at the château.

The 1983 is a typical Haut-Bailly. It is dark ruby in color, with a rich, voluptuous, ripe, black currant bouquet, and some attractive vanillin oaky aromas. On the palate, the wine is forward, with lush, silky, ripe, round tannins evident. It is medium-bodied, with a Pomerol-like, silky, fat texture. This wine is already fully mature. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 1/91.