2015 Haut-Bailly (Pessac-Leognan)

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. 98 points

The 2015 Haut-Bailly is simply `singing` on the nose with irresistible, quite opulent red berry fruit. Wild strawberry, raspberry and cranberry are laced with iris petal and potpourri. Exquisite. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, melted red berry fruit mixed with cracked black pepper, sage and tobacco. This is very cohesive and complex on the finish, perhaps the most sophisticated Haut-Bailly up until this point. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. 96 points