This is the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion. About 4000 cases are produced each year.

In the glass: Medium to deep red black. On the nose: Full of bright red cherry with hints of red olive and fine oak spice. On the palate: Quite a jubey and appealing red fruit core giving long and silken flavours that are generous and classy. Fine oak gives subtle support throughout. Lovely now yet with good mid-term potential.

Winemaking Hand-picked, hand-sorted, gently de-stemmed and berry sorted. Small, separate-batch ferments. Matured for 18 months in French oak and 50% new barrels. Only the 10 finest barrels selected for the final blend.

His upland vineyard raises fruit of rare elegance without losing any of its perfumed intensity. Lithe tannins underlie a strap of lively blackberry, and perfect amounts of sinew, flesh and bright acidity guarantee a highly rewarding decade or two.

HAUT BAILLY II Second wine of Chateau Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan

Subtle threads of violets, cherry blossom and fresh juniper berries serve as highlights to an ample tapestry of black plums, cacao nib and ironstone. Sheer textures of crushed granite and black cherry skin are laced with porcelain tannin and quenching natural acidity.

The nose reveals aromas of mixed spices, dark fruits, and toasty French oak. The palate is deep and powerful; showing a ripe spectrum of red to dark fruits combined with star anise, clove, and allspice. The finish is incredibly long, with firm but fine tannins.

Herbal and plummy. Ripe earthy fruit and cocoa with structured tannins. Chewy firm finish. A classy wine.