Chateau Haut-Bailly, says Robert Parker Jr., “is a wine of undeniable finesse, elegance and restraint.” Marked by sophistication and supple tannins, historically—like most top-quality Bordeaux—it has been at its finest after some years of bottle age.

However, in recent years, the wines are increasingly attractive in their youth. This does not seem to affect the age-worthiness of the wine. It merely broadens the timespan for enjoyment. Indeed, steady improvements in winemaking and viticulture are raising overall quality to new levels.

The 2011 Haut Bailly Bordeaux Blend, originating from the Pessac-Léognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a distinguished red wine produced by Haut Bailly. This vintage consists of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, meticulously aged for 16 months in 50-65% new barrels. The wine is noted for its alcohol content of 13.0% and is sealed with a cork closure.

Cory Gowan of JJ Buckley awarded this wine a score of 95, describing it as a "medium bright red" with a "soft, pure, and very fragrant" nose featuring aromas of tar and blackberry liqueur. Gowan praised its ripe and pure palate with "intense blue fruit flavors" followed by firm tannins and a "longest unhurried finish." He noted that this vintage, owned by American Robert Wilmers since 1998, represents a significant quality resurgence for Château Haut-Bailly.

Wine Enthusiast gave the 2011 Haut Bailly a score of 94, highlighting its "dense tannins and firm fruit" as indicative of a "big, powerful wine." The review noted the wine's initial austerity, which gives way to more rounded layers of wood tannins and rich fruit over time.

Neal Martin’s Wine Journal rated the wine at 93 points, emphasizing its "crisp and fine purity" with notes of blackberry, cassis, crushed stone, and oyster shell. Martin appreciated the wine's lower alcohol content compared to the 2010 vintage, describing it as "very well balanced and silky smooth" with a "composed and refined" finish.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine 94 points, praising its "glorious, subtle, noble set of aromatics" including red and black currants, sweet cherries, graphite, truffles, and wood spice. Parker noted its "profound elegance and purity," suggesting it will benefit from additional bottle age and evolve effortlessly for 20-25 years.

James Suckling gave a commendable score of 95, describing the wine as "wonderfully aromatic" with an exceptional tannin quality. He recommended consuming it from 2016 onwards.

Other reviews include Wine Spectator's 92 points, Decanter's 94 points, and Jeff Leve and Jeb Dunnuck each offering 92 points, all noting its balanced tannins, pure fruit, and potential for graceful aging. This vintage has garnered consistent accolades, positioning it as a noteworthy selection for Bordeaux enthusiasts.