2008 Château Haut-Bailly

Fully mature, yet still pure and layered, with plenty of vibrancy, the 2008 Château Haut-Bailly has quintessential Haut-Bailly sweet darker berries, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, and floral aromas and flavors. These carry over to the palate, where the wine is medium to full-bodied, has firmer, focusing tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This is a more austere, focused style from the estate that has a classic, age-worthy style. It should hold nicely going forward and, I suspect, have another 10-15 years of prime drinking, with a gradual decline thereafter.

The 2008 Haut-Bailly, one of the longest harvests on record, has an impressive bouquet with gorgeous blackberry, briary, rose petal and bay leaf aromas. This is very delineated and focused. The palate is well balanced with fine-boned tannins. The acidity lends edginess and tension. The finish is cohesive and harmonious with lightly spiced black fruit, tobacco and clove. This is a lovely, understated but classy 2008. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Very fine and classic in style. Dark fruits with a fresh, minerally tone (highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon among the vintages 1998 –2017  tasted). Great sense of length and drive, the palate linear and focused. Adequate fruit and the tannins are finely etched. Lovely unforced style. Balanced finish. (JL)