2020 Château Haut-Bailly, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan
£576 per 6 bottle case in bond

Request To Buy

This afternoon 2020 Château Haut-Bailly has released at a very compelling price, particularly given the quality of this vintage that has received unanimous praise. We are pleased to offer here at £576 per 6 bottle case in bond. We haven't banged the drum in a big way on many en primeur releases to date, but we are more than happy to do so with this particular release - to my mind one of the wines of the vintage and at a great price too.

I tasted the 2020 as the Château sent me a sample earlier this year. I was so impressed, more so than in any recent vintage going back to 2016. Following a remarkably fresh set of aromas, there is a richness to the layered berry fruit, not overplayed, but generous, and what impresses most is the overwhelming sense of precision. In some warmer years, you gain less of the identity of the vineyard, but in 2020 the mineral undertow is clearly on show, already exhibiting an array of complex nuances from floral notes to touches of mint. Graceful and refined, Haut-Bailly is in the ascendent for sure, and this is a gem of a wine without a doubt.

What's more, to see a highly-experienced taster like Michael Schuster allude to First Growth quality should be enough to make anyone take note. Haut-Bailly has been on form for a while now, but the team seem intent on edging quality ever forwards. And, if quality is being pushed forwards in this way, an increase in price is not so difficult to bear as this still offers value for money. This is one of the truly captivating 2020s and for me it is a must-buy.
  
Here is the release pricing for recent vintages (source: Liv-ex com, quoted in bond).
 
2020       £576 per 6

2019       £420 per 6

2018       £522 per 6

2017       £444 per 6

2016       £498 per 6

94-96 points, Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine
Closed, minerally to smell, with a great finesse; full, supple yet fresh, and very fine in tannin, an effortlessly beautiful balance; long and graceful, very Haut-Bailly in style, full of soft, sweet, freshly ripe fruit, long and subtle across the palate, and with wonderful fragrant length. A gloriously complete wine of great class. Power and delicacy, great beauty in a particularly discreet style. First-growth quality and refinement, an illuminating tribute to the splendid new chai. Likely to be accessible early, but offer decades of pleasure. Drink 2028-2050

Please let us know of your interest and do please note that it may be necessary to limit orders given anticipated demand.

All the best,
 
Simon