Château Haut-Bailly 2000 - Pessac-Léognan

Château Haut-Bailly 2000 - Pessac-Léognan

Appellation: Pessac-Léognan (AOC)
Classification: Grand Cru Classé of Graves
Owner in 2000: Sanders family (before the acquisition by Robert Wilmers in 1998, but management remains faithful to tradition).

History of Château Haut-Bailly

Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, Château Haut-Bailly is one of the jewels of the Graves region. Its origins date back to the 17th century, a time when its vineyard already enjoyed great renown. Built on a A terroir of fine gravel and ancient sand, Haut-Bailly has distinguished itself by its ability to produce wines of great elegance, which combine finesse, depth and remarkable aging capacity.

The estate experienced a revival in the 20th century under the management of the Sanders family, and more recently with the Wilmers family, who invested in modern infrastructure while preserving the classic identity of the wine.

Presentation of the “Château Haut-Bailly” vintage

The château’s main cuvée is a great red wine, produced in accordance with Bordeaux traditions. Haut-Bailly is distinguished by a perfect balance between concentration and elegance, with a silky tannic structure and complex aromas that evolve magnificently over time.

Typical assembly:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (50-60%): structure and depth.
• Merlot (40-50%): roundness and fruitiness.
• Cabernet Franc (small proportion): complexity and spices.

The aging takes place in French oak barrels (50-60% new) for around 18 months, providing a velvety texture and aromatic richness.

Presentation of the 2000 vintage in Pessac-Léognan

The 2000 vintage is one of the greatest of the late 20th century in Bordeaux. Marked by ideal climatic conditions (mild spring, hot and dry summer, perfect harvests), it gave birth to wines of rare quality. , characterized by their concentration, balance and storage potential.

In the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the red wines of the 2000 vintage are distinguished by their depth, refined tannic structure and aromatic complexity. They represent a perfect expression of the Graves terroir, with the ability to evolve magnificently over several decades.

Presentation and specificities of Château Haut-Bailly 2000

• Terroir: Deep gravel mixed with ancient sand, providing an elegant structure and unique complexity.
• Vinification: Traditional, with rigorous sorting of the grapes to guarantee optimum quality.

Bottle condition:

• Perfect condition.
• Impeccable label and capsule, reflecting ideal cellar storage.
• Perfect level, a sign of excellent preservation.

Tasting:
Château Haut-Bailly 2000 is a wine that is both powerful and refined, which impresses with its balance and depth:

• Nose: Complex aromas of ripe black fruits (blackcurrant, blueberry), blond tobacco, truffle and smoky notes.
• Palate: Concentrated and velvety, with melted tannins and a persistent freshness. The finish is long and elegant, marked by nuances of cedar and sweet spices.
• Cellaring potential: Perfect to drink now after aeration, but can still evolve favorably for 5 to 10 years.

Fun Fact: Haut-Bailly is often described as one of the "underrated" grands crus of Bordeaux. It combines the finesse of the great Graves with the depth of the best Pauillac, making it a popular choice for lovers of complex and elegant.

Food and wine pairing

To enhance this Haut-Bailly 2000, opt for refined dishes:

• Roasted beef fillet with porcini mushrooms.
• Veal chop with morels.
• Duck breast with black pepper.
• Matured cheeses such as Saint-Nectaire or old Cantal.