Château Haut Bailly - Pessac-Léognan 1996

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

Haut-Bailly's 1996 displays less charm than usual, but it does offer moderately intense red currant/cherry fruit combined with earth, smoke, and new oak. An elegant, medium-bodied wine with dry tannin in the finish, it will never be a heavyweight, but it possesses considerable personality and potential complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2015.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1999

Shows wonderful berry, tobacco and vanilla character, is full- to medium-bodied, with velvety tannins and a mineral, spice aftertaste. Next to Haut-Brion, this is the wine from Pessac. Best after 2002. 10,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

87-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

More tannic, structured, muscular, and less charming than Haut-Bailly's 1995, the 1996 reveals intense red currant/cherry fruit, smoke, earth, and a notion of truffles in the nose, intense fruit, light to medium body, moderate tannin, and a super-elegant style. While it is not as expressive as its older sibling, the 1995, it is a well-made wine. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018.

Wine Advocate

87-88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1997

One of Bordeaux's most elegant, "pretty" wines, Haut-Bailly's 1996 has managed to avoid the huge structured, powerful tannin, and weight of many of the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines. Deep ruby-colored, with a textbook vanilla, sweet berry, and roasted herb nose, this medium-bodied, round wine possesses far more intensity and flavor than first imagined. It unfolds on the palate without any hard edges, and, therefore, can be drunk early (in 3-4 years). This wine should develop, put on weight, and last for 15-16 years.