Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan 2015

98+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Haut Bailly checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot that comes from the gravelly soils of the Graves region, just southeast of Bordeaux. It’s an incredibly beautiful, classy 2015 that offers a sexy bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, and exotic spices. Deep, full-bodied, and voluptuously textured, with ultra-fine tannin and building richness that never takes away from its incredible elegance and purity, it’s another heavenly 2015 that’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and just sing for 2-3 decades. Hats off to winemaker Véronique Sanders – this might end up rivaling the out of this world 2009. Drink: 2022-2052. (2/15/18)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot). Griottle cherry, deeply fruited, blackberry and raspberry, edges of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, rosemary, cigar box and cedar, with a core of spiced sage and rosemary. The first modern vintage to have Petit Verdot in any great quantity (there has always been a handful from the library plot of century-old vines but in quantities that are too small to be recorded as part of the blend). Harvest September 15 to October 8. Denis Dubourdieu consultant, Gabriel Vialard winemaker. Alcohol 13.6%. Drink: 2025-2050. (7/11/24)"

98 points James Suckling: "This is an incredible young red with precision and focus that is second to almost none. Full body with a ultra-fine tannin drive that is seamless as it is endless. It ends with such power. Try in 2024 but already impressive to taste. (12/27/18)"

98 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "The first modern vintage to have Petit Verdot in any great quantity (there is always a tiny sprinkle from the mixed plot of century-old vines), and it adds a gorgeous deep character, certainly when set against what is already an exceptional vintage in Pessac-Léognan. Great aromatics, poise and elegance, signature Haut-Bailly with its deeply textured cassis and blackberry fruit layered with cedar, graphite and pencil lead. Love this, just a brilliant Haut-Bailly that is going to run and run. Harvest September 15 to October 8. Drinking Window: 2025-2042. (7/2/20)"

98 points Falstaff: "Dark ruby, purple reflections, broad and bright ochre lightening on the rim. Nuances of black cherry and liquorice, hints of blackberry, nougat, orange zest and subtle background notes of tobacco. Complex on the palate, juicy, nuances of fresh plums, ripe supporting tannins, mineral and chalky with salty-citrus nuances on the long, taut finish. A cool style with definite further ageing potential. (Store, drink +35) (Jan 2023)"

98 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "There is so much to like here starting with the vibrancy in the fruit, the length, purity and its array of notes in the perfume. Perfectly balanced, with layer after layer of sweet, ripe, silky juice, this is a stunner. However, this beauty demands cellaring. Give it until the wine hits 15 years of age and enjoy it for decades. (Nov 2019)"

98 points/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France: "A monumental wine of distinction and power, the 2015 is a 'refined behemoth', all muscle and restraint for now. Forget about this legendary wine in your cellar for at least a decade. (2019)"

97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Haut-Bailly offers up a tantalizingly savory nose of smoked meats, chargrill, tapenade, unsmoked cigars and black truffles with a core of black currants, black cherries and wild blueberries plus wafts of iron ore and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, very firm and yet wonderfully plush with a powerful core of fruit—this vintage is truly an iron fist in a velvet glove. The finish goes on and on with persistent earthy/minerally notes and savory/sweet fruit. Although it is tempting and indeed delicious right now, the wine still possesses many restrained layers and should handsomely reward the patient. Drink: 2024-2050. (Feb 2018)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Once again, I am absolutely stunned by how vivid the 2015 Haut-Bailly is. Bright, red-toned fruit and floral overtones convey freshness. Deep and unctuous in the glass, with tremendous concentration, the 2015 has more than enough clout to age well for several decades. It will need at least a few years in bottle to be truly enjoyable. Drink: 2023-2045. (Feb 2018)"