This has been one of the best values in Bordeaux and continues to be. Great showing for the money. Purple in color. The nose is tight at first but then opens to cherries and dark cherries. It starts out bitter and tannic, but with some air, the cherry and dark cherry fruit explode. Nice depth. Some oak but integrated. Good finish. Right now it could use a decant. It will continue to improve for a decade or more. $30.
This is the third wine of Chateau Haut-Baily. It has only been produced under the HB moniker since 2019. If the third wine is this good, then the first and second should be fantastic. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is tight but eventually opens to show cassis with some spice and gravel/char. velvety texture. Firm tannins. The palate has cassis with char. Deep but tight. A bit of bitter cherry (in a good way) on the finish. This needs a few years, maybe five, of good cellaring and should drink well for ten after that. Classic Bordeaux foods should work well such as Lam
Gorgeous wine. This was controversial on release for being too big and bold, but I think it would be less so today. Maybe not. It is still a ripe wine but not overblown or raisiny, etc. Just a gorgeous expression of Merlot. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is initially tight but opens quickly showing dusty cherries, slight mocha ad roasted herbs. On the palate, black cherries layered with dry earth and just a hint of cocoa powder. Great plush yet juicy texture. This is deep with tight layering that unwind in the glass. Long finish. It probably won't get better but will
Nice showing for this wine. In its youth, this was full throttle oak, but at age 23, the fruit, oak and tannins have all integrated and mellowed and come together. Purple/black in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has clay, black cherries, spice and chocolate. Medium tannins. Nice texture. On the palate, nice black cherry fruit with a hint of black olives. The finish is a bit bitter and drying. Overall, this seems at peak. Drink over the next five to ten years. It will work better with food. A nice wine with a burger.
Another wine to turn to when looking for value in top vintages of Bordeaux. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis and plums and slight leather and char. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is firm tannins. A velvety texture. Lots of cassis fruit with underlying leather and slight char. Good acidity. Nice finish. This needs another five to eight years to approach maturity and should drink well for ten to fifteen after that. This will work well with grilled or roasted meats (or vegetables).
This is drinking youthfully but quite nice right now. Purple in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, chocolate and cigar tobacco. On the palate, this has a lovely lush texture. Lots of fruit; black cherries, some cherries with a bit of earth. There is some oak but mostly integrated. Light tannins. Nice very smooth finish. Drinking very well, it works well with food. There may be some upside as it develops but I think mostly this is as good asa it gets.
