Chateau Haut-Bailly, an esteemed Cru Classé de Graves, lies in a 30 hectare (74 acres) vineyard near the center of the region. On the left bank of the river Garonne, it is positioned on a high sandy ridge mixed with gravel, atop a layer of sandstone and fossil shell remains. This terroir gives Haut Bailly wines distinctive character and refinement.

The property featured vines in 1461 or earlier, and from 1530s one could see a focused wine estate taking shape. That estate changed hands over the centuries and was handed down from generation to generation, each leaving their stamp. Today, Chateau Haut Bailly is owned by Robert G. Wilmers, an American businessman devoted to Bordeaux Grands Crus. His stewardship and investment has brought Haut Bailly to new heights but all in keeping with the estates strong heritage.

The long heritage of Chateau Haut Bailly is represented by 4 hectares of own-rooted, century-old vines. The remainder of the vineyard, on carefully selected rootstock, is Cabernet Sauvignon focused with 34% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot available to create complex, well-rounded wines.

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 2016 Haut-Bailly Bordeaux Blend is a red wine from the Pessac Leognan sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This vintage, produced by Haut Bailly, is enclosed with a cork and features an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The 2016 Haut-Bailly has garnered impressive reviews from across the board. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored it a notable 98 points, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing it as "medium to deep garnet-purple in color." She praised its "beautiful floral notes of violets and lavender," with "earthy notions and sparks of crushed rocks" complementing a core of "kirsch, cassis, and wild blueberries." Perrotti-Brown found it to be "full-bodied, rich and seductive," with a "very long, perfumed finish."

Vinous echoed this sentiment, awarding the wine 96 points. Neal Martin highlighted its "exquisite delineation and focus," finding the nose to be "brilliant" with notes of "blackberries, potpourri, crushed stone, and hints of violet petal." Martin described the palate as "medium-bodied with fine grain tannins" and "perfectly judged acidity," concluding that it is "very cohesive and almost Pauillac-like towards the finish."

James Suckling also gave the wine high praise, scoring it 98 points. He emphasized the "wonderful aromas of tobacco, sweet fruit, and licorice," and appreciated its "full body with ultra-fine tannins." Suckling recommended drinking it after 2024 to fully appreciate its "length and subtlety."

Wine Enthusiast rated the wine 97 points, calling it "superb," and highlighting its "big tannins, generous black fruits, and powerful ripeness." The review suggested that the wine "will develop slowly" and would not be ready before 2026.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded a perfect score of 100 points, claiming that he "obviously underrated the 2016 Château Haut-Bailly on release." He noted its "incredible aromatics of cassis, liquid violets, cedar pencil, flowers, and minerals," describing it as "absolute perfection in wine."

Jeff Leve of The Wine Cellar Insider gave it 97 points, mentioning its "spicy, juicy, ripe blackberries, plum, and cherries" along with "smoke, thyme, and dark cocoa notes." He advised allowing it over a decade to "soften, open, and start hitting its stride."

Wine Spectator scored it 95 points, describing it as "energetic and grippy," with "tar and melted licorice notes" and a "core of bramble, red currant paste, and black cherry preserve flavors." The publication suggested it would be best from 2023 through 2038.

Decanter also awarded the wine 98 points, noting that it is "still extremely knitted down" and "pretty closed at the four-year point." The review highlighted its "confident" tannins and "future potential," suggesting it should not be consumed for at least another five years.

Overall, the 2016 Haut-Bailly has received widespread acclaim, with reviewers praising its depth, complexity, and potential for aging.