As ever when tasting the two together, the striking thing is the difference in character rather than quality between 2009 and 2010. This is tighter, more structured in its concentration, more broad shouldered, but still intensely impressive and full of pleasure. Neither are ready to go yet, but this feels like it will last longer, and feels extremely Haut-Bailly in spirit, with an elegant but complex personality, and a grip that doesn't make a big deal of its power but refuses to give up. Blackberry, bilberry, black chocolate and pencil. Harvest September 22 to October 14.

Coiled and reserved at first, smoky cigar box as it opens, vivid and beautifully sleek blackcurrant, bilberry and blueberry fruits, taut and structured tannins even at 14 years old, with pencil lead and olive paste studding the palate from beginning to end. Plenty of estate signature in its finessed spirit, coupled with the concentration and swagger of the 2010 vintage. Harvest September 22 to October 14. Denis Dubourdieu consultant, Gabriel Vialard winemaker. 60% new oak for ageing.

The 2010 Château Haut-Bailly is based on 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 50% new French oak. It's a powerhouse of an Haut-Bailly that still brings incredible purity, precision, and elegance. Spicy currants, loamy earth, graphite, cigar, and savory floral notes all define the aromatics, and it's concentrated, has full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, and ultra-fine tannins. It's a singular, sensational wine from this team that's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window. It needs an hour in a decanter if drinking anytime soon and has another 40-50 years of overall longevity. Drink 2025-2065.

Stunning in every sense of the word. From start to finish, this is a complete tasting experience. The wine opens with a complex array of scents, tobacco leaf, cherries, currants, cigar box, smoke, cedar, plums, and forest floor. Full-bodied, concentrated, and still holding on to its fresh-faced youth, there is a beautiful sense of purity and symmetry on the palate that carries all the way through to the finish. Drink from 2025-2055.

Great aromas of crushed blackberries with flowers and stones that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a long, long finish. It fills your mouth with beautiful fruit and velvety tannins yet shows tension and form. This lasts for minutes on the palate. Structured and superb. Don't touch until 2020.

62% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Aged for 16 months in 50-65% new barrels. Opaque core with a purple edge. This starts out a bit reserved and backwards, but really begins to pick up steam with a bit of air allowing gorgeous aromas of black cherries, creme de cassis, violets, charcoal and cedar to spill from the glass. This falls on the modern side of the stylistic spectrum, displaying a full-bodied profile with great power and length, though without a touch of heaviness as the silky tannins and fresh acidity create a beautiful overall balance. As good as this is now, it's going to be even better with a decade of cellaring. Enjoy 2020-2040+.

The 2010 Haut-Bailly has an outstanding bouquet with intense blackberry, briary, crushed stone and subtle violet scents, more backwards and more precise than the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and firm grip. Layers of tar and tobacco are infused with black fruit and a touch of liquorice on the finish. This is a Haut-Bailly on another level from previous vintages that will age with style. Superb. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. -- Neal Martin

The nose is very dense and rather introspective at first gradually unfurling in the glass with blackberry boysenberry and a slight "clayey" aroma that moves towards coca with continued aeration. The palate is full-bodied and very powerful very structured and tannic although the tannins and not quite as fine as say Smith Haut-Lafitte or Pape-Clement. Touches of graphite linger on the aftertaste. The sample at the Château needed a little more tension and precision...the sample at the UGC gave it to me!

The 2010 Haut Bailly has consistently been a fantastic wine, and at seven years of age I have no reason to alter that view. It has a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, wet stone, black olive and a light marine influence. It is still backward compared to other vintages, but it has not relinquished one iota of its intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. This is a voluminous Haut Bailly, one that is beginning to stretch its muscles, with a gentle grip in the mouth with a wonderful saline finish. There is huge potential locked into this wine, but patience is needed. Tasted March 2017. - Neal Martin

A powerful and complex wine from an estate performing on its top form. Solid tannins, layers of wood and dark fruits combine to give a wine that offers both richness and a dense structure. This Haut-Bailly should age impressively and for many years.

Chewy and brambly, but integrated, this carries a very hefty core of espresso, ganache, mulled plum and blackberry fruit. The purity starts to shine through on the finish, which drips with cassis and is threaded with a long warm paving stone note. Tight and backward today, this extremely well-built wine will need substantial cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2035. – JM