Chateau Haut-Bailly

Chateau Haut-Bailly is quickly gaining praise as one of the Left Bank's top contenders. Since American banker Robert G. Wilmers took over in 1998, the estate has made significant strides in elevating the quality of its wines. Wilmers' deep pockets and passion for crafting exceptional wines have been evident since the 2005 vintage. It's no surprise that critics have noticed, with Robert Parker declaring that Haut-Bailly's wines now rival renowned estates like Pape-Clement, La Mission Haut-Brion, and Haut Brion. Such high praise from a powerful critic demands a closer look – it's time to discover why Chateau Haut-Bailly has all the critics buzzing.

Chateau Haut-Bailly: Pioneering Bordeaux

The winemaking story at Chateau Haut Bailly began in 1461, although the journey towards cultivating a modern Bordeaux didn't truly kick off until 1530. Over the centuries, the quality of its wines has seen its share of ups and downs. The late 1600s marked a pioneering moment for Chateau Haut-Bailly as one of the first estates to sell vintage-dated wine in Bordeaux. Their forward-thinking spirit persisted during the late 1800s when they defied conventional wisdom during the phylloxera epidemic. Instead of regrafting vines onto American rootstock, they ingeniously used a combination of copper and sulfur to safeguard the rootstock from the invasive louse. This decision catapulted the Chateau to earn a well-deserved reputation as one of Bordeaux's finest estates between the late 1800s and 1920s, rivalling the prestigious First Growths. With a long history in the region, Chateau Haut-Bailly remains an unheralded revolutionary in Bordeaux.

Haut-Bailly Bordeaux Winemaking Excellence

Under the expert guidance of technical director Veronique Sanders and owner Robert G. Wilmers, Chateau Haut-Bailly found its stride. Since 2009, the estate has garnered six hundred-point scores and critical acclaim, with the 2009 vintage being hailed as "the greatest Haut-Bailly ever made." This is no small feat, given that the winemaking history here dates back over five hundred years. Wilmers and Sanders have transformed Chateau Haut-Bailly from an estate with minimal attention to one of Bordeaux's fastest-rising stars.

Veronique Sanders' personal history is intimately woven into Chateau Haut-Bailly, representing the fourth generation of her family leading the Chateau into the future. Before Robert G. Wilmers acquired the estate in 1998, the Sanders family exclusively owned Haut-Bailly. Veronique's profound knowledge of the Haut Bailly vineyards and successful partnership with Wilmers have been key factors in the Chateau's rise to prominence.

The Modern Renaissance of Haut-Bailly

Veronique's success is not solely attributable to familial ties; Wilmers invested significantly in renovating and modernising the cellars in 2000. When Robert Wilmers passed away in 2017 at 83 years old, he left a blueprint for Chateau Haut-Bailly's next chapter. Carrying on his father's legacy, Chris Wilmers began constructing a state-of-the-art facility that had already been initiated under Robert G. Wilmars' vision. While the details of Haut Bailly's new facility remain somewhat mysterious, owner Chris Wilmars assures us it adheres to the best environmental practices.

"An ultimate respect for terroir involves going beyond preserving what exists, to guide the land through changing times to make it better for future generations." — Veronique Sanders

At the heart of Chateau Haut-Bailly's reemergence lies its 96-acre vineyard, a single collective bloc – a rarity in Bordeaux. The true jewel in the Haut Bailly vineyard is a small 9-acre parcel with vines aged over 120 years. With an average vine age of 38 years and half of the vineyard boasting vines of 50 years or older, it's no wonder that the Chateau owns some of the oldest vines in Pessac-Leognan. 

Indulge In Haut-Bailly Wine

Chateau Haut-Bailly's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. An estate once overlooked from 1970 to the early 2000s is now hailed as "one of the superstars of Bordeaux" by the esteemed Robert Parker. What's most impressive about these wines isn't just their quality, but also their value and affordability. Now is the perfect time to indulge or invest in a bottle of Chateau Haut-Bailly – a world-class wine available at a conservative price.