在波爾多左岸的Graves產區中十幾家的頂級酒莊(Grand Cru Classe de Graves)之中， Château Haut-Bailly似乎不是很受矚目的一家，但是事實上它是名很早，並且曾經擁有輝煌歷史。15世紀中葉這裡就開始了葡萄的種植，現在的葡萄園規模則創立於16世紀的30年代；酒莊名Bailly源自17世紀的主人，一位巴黎的銀行家。19世紀下半到20世紀初，它的評價和價格曾一度和Latour、Ausone等頂尖酒莊並駕齊驅！然而隨著世事的變化，它的光華不再、漸趨沒落，到了20世紀中已經破落到不行，直到1955年Sander家族接手後才讓它逐漸恢復水準。不過1998年美國銀行家Wilmers入主本酒莊之後，由Veronique Sander繼續管理Haut-Bailly，本酒莊的水準才又明顯地大幅提升到頂尖酒莊的行列。
本酒莊所在的位置古時候稱為「小高地(Pujau)」，道出了它的獨特優異種植條件。它位於Legnan村的最高處，一片低緩的圓丘上，表土是混合細砂的礫石，下面是石灰質泥灰岩的獨特土壤。本酒莊只生產紅酒，種植了本區少見的高達65% Cabernet Sauvignon，其他是25% Merlot和10% Cabernet Franc。歸功於它的獨特風土條件，酒質是以紮實骨架裡，又兼有高雅細緻而著稱，甚至被形容為珠圓玉潤的口感！
WA:91 Drink:2016 - 2035
Tasted at the château, the 1998 Haut-Bailly is a wine that exploits what was a fine vintage in Pessac-Léognan, and appears to slowly improve with age. Having not reached adulthood yet, it has a simmering, powerful bouquet with smoke and truffle accompanying the red berry fruit, perhaps a little mintier than previous bottles. The palate is complex and well balanced, harmonious with kirsch and bay leaf, you could say "modestly precocious" in style. The acidity cuts through nicely here, lending freshness on the finish that feels long and possesses the substance to suggest that it will easily bestow drinkers with another 15-20 years of pleasure. You could broach this now, but it possesses the concentration to mature over the next 20 years without problem. Tasted March 2016.
