La Parde Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan 2017 - Second vin

Charming and elegant, the rich blueberry fruit has good density, though it isn’t particularly generous. The tannins wrap around the fruit, but they’re lively and well-defined, and they’ll soften and open up within 4 to 5 years. There was 30% frost damage in the vineyard, but no second-generation fruit was used—in fact, there wasn’t any to begin with. The blend contains slightly more Merlot than usual. 30% of the production was used for La Parde, and about 20% for the estate’s third wine. 2023–2036

 

“With its distinctive and utterly charming style, this estate—acquired in 1998 by American banker Robert Wilmers—produces a wine of unique integrity and class. Véronique Sanders, the former owner’s granddaughter, carefully manages the day-to-day operations of this classified growth alongside the highly competent technical director, Gabriel Vialard. She produces a harmonious and supremely balanced red wine here, adhering to Bordeaux traditions without ever overdoing it in an attempt to overshadow the wines’ very natural profile. The terroir of gravel over iron-rich clay allows the wines to develop a highly seductive bouquet of morello cherries and a velvety texture unmatched in this part of Léognan. It is very difficult to find fault with a single vintage: all of them, with an inimitable, long, and refined style, achieve excellence. A word of caution to overly impatient enthusiasts: like any great wine worth its salt, Haut-Bailly can be austere in its youth. It truly reveals itself only after a few years of aging.”

Barrel sample. At this stage, the wine is dominated by spicy and woody flavors, although fragrant fruit also comes through. It features subtle notes of juicy blackberries and delicately integrated tannins. Ultimately, its savory fruitiness takes center stage.

The 2017 La Parde Haut-Bailly is an elegant and understated wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spices, and new leather come to the fore in this juicy and supple second wine from Haut-Bailly. This 2017 offers beautiful depth and enough pedigree to be enjoyed for many years to come. 2022–2037

A very appealing red wine with notes of chocolate and hazelnut, highlighting the dark fruit. Medium to full-bodied. A flavorful finish. Delicious. Château Haut-Bailly's second wine. Ready to drink or suitable for aging.

The nose is fruity, aromatic, and elegant, offering power (with elegance), a fine texture, and a subtle richness (with delicacy). It features notes of Boysenberry, wild strawberry, and, more subtly, blackcurrant, combined with subtle hints of Sichuan pepper, violet, refined minerality, small wild black berries, and subtle hints of licorice, green pepper, and toast. On the palate, it is fruity and balanced, offering a juicy, tangy structure, refined minerality, subtle depth, richness, juiciness, and precision. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy, juicy blackcurrant, fleshy, juicy blackberry, and, to a lesser extent, fleshy, juicy wild strawberry, combined with a subtle hint of juicy plum, as well as very subtle hints of toast, sweet spices, chocolate, and an imperceptible varietal note. The tannins are elegant. The finish is upright and displays a subtle firmness.