2ND Haut Bailly

Blend of Château Haut-Bailly:
64% Cabernet Sauvignon 34% Merlot 2% Cabernet Franc
Blend of La Parde Haut-Bailly:
52% Cabernet Sauvignon 46% Merlot 2% Cabernet Franc
Harvest:
October 1st to 4th: Merlot
October 5th to 10th: Cabernet Sauvignon
Yields: 20,6Hl /Ha
New oak: 55% 

Meteorological Data
The winter, like the spring of 2013, was characterized by an almost constant humidity, allowing the water table to re-establish itself. Following a late budburst, the development of the vines slowed due to a lack of sunshine, which in turn delayed the entire growth cycle. Haut-Bailly was spared a series of morning frosts which occurred throughout the region on the 28th of April and again on the 17th and 26th of May. A particularity of the 2013 vintage was the simultaneous flowering of Merlots and Cabernets; a delicate situation due to the abundant June rainfall, which led to an acceleration in the growth of shoots as well as “coulure” and “millerandage”. Weather in July was hot and dry, ending with a series of violent hailstorms that ravaged 7,000 hectares of vineyards throughout the region, but fortunately did not cause any damage at Haut-Bailly. August followed with hot temperatures, resulting in the formation of smaller grapes than usual. September, with its mild temperatures, left us waiting impatiently for the late harvest. Harvest September 29th and 30th saw a wave of low pressure coming in from the Atlantic which brought with it warm, wet weather. Harvesting began with the Merlots on October 1st and finished with the Cabernets ten days later. Weather conditions required us to double the team of pickers quickly. Our quick reactions and flexibility along with sorting and selection were crucial to ensure that only ripe, concentrated fruit went into the cellar. Wines A slow and gentle vinification was carried out at 25°C, preserving fresh fruit flavours and extracting soft yet elegant tannins. A number of elements, including the losses in spring, small grapes and meticulous sorting explain the low yields for this vintage. Despite reduced production, a number of quality batches combining fruit and elegance have resulted in the creation of a wine that lives up to Haut-Bailly’s strict standards of quality. The 2013 vintage, full of finesse, is both lively and supple, retaining freshness and a harmonious structure. Its relative scarcity will not be its only distinguishing quality.