Château Haut-Bailly 2017 – Pessac-Léognan Cru Classé

The nose is beautifully aromatic, fine, elegant, slightly tight, quite bewitching, a small complexity, a small smothness and offers a fine richness (in the background) as well as a beautiful grain. It reveals notes of blackberry, violet, cassis and more slightly crushed wild strawberry associated with discreet touches of black cherry, juicy red berries, gray pepper, a very discreet hint of lily as well as very discreet hints of vanilla, cardamom, spices/nutmeg and caramelized almond. The palate is elegant, well-balanced, racy, very slightly powdered and offers freshness, fullness, suavity, fat, a good definition, tension, a bit aery, a fine juiciness as well as a beautiful grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of cassis, blackberry, crushed wild strawberry, violet and more slightly juicy small berries associated with discreet touches of zan, sweet spices, caramelized oak as well as an imperceptible hint of mild tobacco (in the background). Tannins are very fine and very slightly powdered. Good length. There is a very discreet hint of caramelized oak, vanilla and chocolate on the finish/persistence. There is a very discreet hint of almond/fresh nut on the aftertaste (gives gourmandize).