The 2020 Haut-Bailly II, which was harvested all in September, offers everything you’d want from a second wine and has up-front red and black fruits, some tobacco, floral, spicy, sandalwood nuances, medium-bodied richness, and a layered, silky mouthfeel. It has plenty of the class and elegance found in the Grand Vin, yet in a more approachable, undeniably delicious package. It’s perfect for drinking over the coming decade.

Smoke, tobacco leaf, cigar wrapper, spearmint, flowers and red berry aromas make the nose. On the palate, the wine is elegant, fresh and silky, with a polish to the tannins and ample, sweet, red fruits with a hint of spice and dark chocolate that remains in the endnote. Already showing fabulous today, it is only going to get better. Drink from 2023-2040.

(93+ points) The 2020 Haut-Bailly II is super elegant and refined, with tons of aromatic nuance and character. Succulent dark cherry, rose petal, dried herbs and menthol lend energy to this super-classy Pessac-Léognan. The energy, precision and nuance here are superb. Perhaps more importantly, Haut-Bailly II does not come across as a wine from a warm year at all. -- Antonio Galloni

Expressive and charming on the nose full of red fruit aromas and floral scents. Soft, supple and juicy with a subtle chew to the tannins, plump and bouncy, while still being quite serious and focussed overall. Direct from the start to finish with excellent balance and harmony. Lots to like here.

Intense cassis, prune and fig fruits, this has juice and balance but is serious in character, with slate and crayon notes, peony flowers, and clear ageing potential. 30% new oak, harvest September 9 to 25. Vinified in the old winery but all ageing took place in the stunning new cellars with their underground barrel ageing area. 30% of overall production in HBII.