Pessac-Léognan 2001

The 2001 Pessac-Léognan harvest delivered wines of genuine finesse and Graves-like mineral complexity, with the finest estates producing wines of real depth and aromatic definition that have aged with great distinction. Château Haut-Bailly’s 2001 earned 92/100 from Neal Martin, who found it more expressive and generous than the 2000, noting a beautiful blackberry, pencil shaving and graphite character with a saline tang and real Graves typicity driven by its 65% Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker awarded 90/100, praising its sweet, pure and elegant aromas of currants, toast and cigar smoke with wonderful finesse and a long, persistent finish. Haut-Bailly is one of Pessac-Léognan’s most celebrated Grand Cru Classé estates under the stewardship of the Wilmers family since 1998, its 28 hectares on a high gravel ridge managed by Véronique Sanders. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.