CHATEAU HAUT-BAILLY PESSAC-LEOGNAN 750ML 2013

A year of contrasting weather when you had to be supremely attentive at all times - favouring estates like Haut-Bailly where there is the manpower to give the necessary focus in the vineyard. Less tannic frame than many in this vertical, reflecting the shortcomings of the vintage. The skill of the estate's team is on display though - extraction is extremely carefully handed, ensuring spice is very much to the fore, alongside autumnal berry fruit. This gives an excellent shape and character to the wine and it is already relatively open at seven years old.

The 2013 Haut Bailly is a cut above many Pessac-Léognan wines this year. It is bestowed an engaging, red cherry, strawberry and iodine-scented bouquet that unfolds in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with quite bold tannin for the vintage, but here there is the fruit to back it up and there is real density on the ferrous finish. "Team Sanders" has made a considered, harmonious and very agreeable wine for the vintage, even if it might pale against other recent releases. Just 2,000 cases this vintage. Last tasted at the property in March 2016 and you know, it might well garner a higher evaluation with bottle age.