Haut Bailly II - Pessac-Léognan 2022

Alexandre Ma

94

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Usually, Haut Bailly-II is more gentle and rounded, but in the 2022 vintage, I encountered a concentration typically found in Haut Bailly, masterfully transforming a Merlot blend into the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is graced with a layer of creaminess, beneath which lies dense yet fine-grained tannins. As a glass of deep purple drop glides over the palate, the entire world appears to transform into a realm of beauty. Such a tasting experience should not be missed.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

First year with the vines from sibling estate Château La Pape also in Haut-Bailly II, raising the percentage of Merlot on clay, and adding a softness, and a greater difference of character with the main estate wine. Crushed rose petal aromatics, enticing on the nose, gourmet edge, black cherry and damson, overlaid with mandarin, graphite and fennel, a key touch of bitterness because the acidity is lower than in a typical year. 3.9ph, 30% new oak.

Wine Advocate

91

byYohan Castaingthe3/6/2025

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II, a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, reveals a gourmand, elegant bouquet of roses, dark berries and flowers. Medium-bodied, round and supple, it's juicy yet has an assertive tannic frame, concluding with a fresh, ethereal finish. It's very classic.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Haut-Bailly II, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

91

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Based on 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Bailly II is medium ruby-hued with a ripe, opulent style in its mulled red and black cherries, licorice, dried flowers, and roasted herb-like aromatics. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, round, seamless second wine that's going to drink nicely over the coming decade.

Yvesbeck.wine

96

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot Le bouquet annonce un vin plein d'énergie, très défini, avec une superbe intensité fruitée, sans exubérance, avec précision et efficacité ! Agréables nuances de cassis, de bois de réglisse et de pivoines complétées par une touche de graphite. En bouche, le vin cumule charme, ampleur et fraîcheur. Ses suaves sont charnus et parfaitement intégrés, tandis que de fins amers confèrent tension et fraîcheur. La finale s'en retrouve dynamisée, plébiscitée et convainc par son interminable longueur. Quel grand vin ! 2028-2044 96/100

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II has a deep garnet color. The bouquet is classic and "cool" in style, with more black than red fruit tones, light marine scents, a hint of iris petal and a slight touch of espresso. It has fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded, fleshy entry. It builds gently in the mouth with a hint of black pepper and sage toward the finish. Quite open with no hard edges, this will be open for business not too many months after release. It is very fine.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II is silky, elegant and polished. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, cinnamon and new leather are all beautifully lifted in this gracious wine from Haut-Bailly. The 2022 is an especially delicate, refined wine that captures all the finesse that was possible in this vintage.

Decanter.com

92

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Beautiful fragrance on the nose, so floral and aromatic. Clean and crystalline on the palate, smooth and supple but so clean and pure. Quite light, you can tell they didn’t push this, it feels calm and gentle with creamy blueberry fruit and soft black cherries. Lovely approachability and ease of drinking. Quietly seductive, has the power and concentration of the vintage but keeps a sleek and straight frame with bite and crunch. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.8pH. As of this vintage, the 6ha Château le Pape production will go into this wine and Haut-Bailly's third wine. Consultants Christophe Olivier and Axel Marchal.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II is a selection of fruit from younger vines (there is also a Troisieme Vin). Dark berry fruit, brown spice and tobacco aromas unfold nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fine acidity and moderate depth. There is a cracked black pepper dash toward a finish that is reserved at the moment and will open once in bottle. It has real personality and should aged over 15 or more years.

The Vintage Journal

94-95

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Medium deep colour. Very pretty plum, violet, with touch aniseed and hint of dark chocolate. Richly concentrated dark plum, blackcurrant fruits, fine bitter sweet graphite tannins, very good volume, underlying savoury notes and fresh indelible aciditiy. Finishes al dente firm with attractive mineral length. 65% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Cabernet Franc 2% Petit Verdot 14%alc

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II, a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. Scents of black cherries, mulberries, and crushed blackcurrants jump from the glass, followed by wafts of fallen leaves, camphor, and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is filled with juicy black fruits and earthy accents, supported by plush, rounded tannins and soft acidity, finishing with a peppery kick.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-96

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

La finesse du bouquet est un élément acquis à Haut-Bailly, mais bien évidemment ce n'est jamais gagné d'avance ! Il révèle d'agréables nuances de framboises complétées par de rafraîchissantes notes de menthe et de garrigues puis de classiques notes de graphite. Le vin affiche une belle énergie dès l'attaque. Il a du tempérament, de la vigueur et est soutenu par des tannins certes serrés, mais parfaitement en phase avec la tension respectivement la structure acide. Un vin de caractère, qui cumule puissance et fraîcheur. Je pense qu'il faudra être patient !

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II is based on 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvest here spanned from May 7 to 27, and this is the first vintage where the Le Pape cuvée is no longer being produced, hence those grapes are now included in the second wine of Haut-Bailly. This beauty offers a great nose of ripe black fruits, smoked herbs, tobacco, and black olives that carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, elegant 2022 with beautiful tannins. It's unquestionably a terrific second wine that will provide two decades of prime drinking.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Haut-Bailly II is bright, fresh and vibrant, almost surprisingly so for such a torrid vintage. Medium in body and gracious, the 2022 is all class. Like so many wines in this vintage, Haut-Bailly II offers a compelling mix of ripe, radiant fruit supported by a super-classic structural feel. Pretty floral notes brighten up the finish. This is beautifully done. Drinking window : 2027-2047

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Cigar wrapper, mint leaf, spice, smoke, cherries, plums and cocoa pop effortlessly in the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, silky, and creamy with energy to the spicy red fruits. This is a very classy second wine with complexity, and character. This is perfect to enjoy while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. This is the first vintage incorporating the vines from Chateau Le Pape. Drink from 2025-2037.

Wine Advocate

90-92

byYohan Castaingthe4/28/2023

A blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Haut-Bailly II reveals aromas of licorice, dark berries, plum, spices and cherries, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate that's round, succulent and concentrated, concluding with a penetratingly saline finish. It’s a fleshy yet long Haut-Bailly II, matured in only 30% new oak. The erstwhile Château Le Pape is now partly integrated in this cuvée.

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2023

Ripe, round, mellow with a gourmand expression of fruit. Just enough freshness. Lovely texture, the tannins smooth but crunchy. Firm, dry finish to bring everything together. Slight glow of alcohol on the finish. (JL)

Alexandre Ma

93-94

byAlexandre Mathe4/19/2023

Usually, Haut Bailly-II is more gentle and rounded, but in the 2022 vintage, I encountered a concentration typically found in Haut Bailly, masterfully transforming a Merlot blend into the essence of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is graced with a layer of creaminess, beneath which lies dense yet fine-grained tannins. As a glass of deep purple drop glides over the palate, the entire world appears to transform into a realm of beauty. Such a tasting experience should not be missed.