After a harsh winter and a mild spring, the 2017 vintage began early with bud break on March 25th. During the nights of the 27th and 28th of April there were frosts of an intensity rarely seen in Bordeaux. This frost caused damage to our lower plots but spared our parcels of old vines. And then nature took its course, with a warm spring favouring fast growth in the vineyard, further emphasising the early nature of the vintage.

Flowering (which took place from the 20th-25th May) was two weeks ahead of usual. As for the plots affected by the frost, vegetative growth was truly remarkable. The base of the vines showed intense growth, which had the effect of limiting the production of fruit and second-generation clusters. Exceptional rainfall in late June (120 mm in three days) reduced any risk of hydric stress. However, the weather conditions of July and August, with limited rainfall, meant that overall, 2017 will be recorded as one of our driest vintages–along with 2000, 2005 and 2012. During the summer, the alternation of hot and cool days gave us favourable conditions for ripening. Veraison began early (at the end of July) and was particularly regular throughout the vineyard. The earliness of the vintage is confirmed and the harvest begins on 13 September with the Merlot and ends with the Cabernet Sauvignon, from 25 to 29 September.

The Merlots of 2017 are both fruity and balanced. Cabernets offer a pleasant aromatic freshness and savoury tannic structure with good density. The overall yield of the vintage is quite low. The 2017 blend of Château Haut-Bailly is particularly floral and is composed of those parcels spared by Mother Nature–the plots of old vines which make up the historic heart of the vineyard.

Harvest: September 13^th – 29^th
Château Haut-Bailly blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon – 32% Merlot – 4% Petit Verdot – 4% Cabernet Franc
La Parde Haut-Bailly blend: 35% Cabernet Sauvignon – 65% Merlot