The 2006 Haut Bailly is just now entering its prime drink window, and is certainly a gorgeous bottle of wine. Still ruby colored and youthful, with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, truffle, and scorched earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a beautiful, supple, sexy texture, and sweet tannin. It’s an irresistible, elegant, layered Pessac to drink anytime over the coming two decades.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDA superb success for the vintage, the 2006 exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a poised, classic bouquet of sweet black cherries, graphite, camphor, truffles, and a subtle hint of oak. Medium-bodied with a stunningly layered texture, impressive purity, and beautiful balance, this cuvee is haute couture in a glass. Although surprisingly approachable, it won’t hit its adolescent stage for 8-10 years, and will last for 25-30 years thereafter. Bravo!It is extraordinary to see what the American proprietor, a banker from Buffalo, NY, Robert Wilmers and Veronique Sanders, the granddaughter of the former proprietor, have accomplished at Haut-Bailly. Together they are pushing this outstanding terroir to first-growth quality levels. It is an amazing success story, and readers looking for a quintessentially elegant Bordeaux need look no further than Haut-Bailly.Robert Parker | 95 RPA vintage that gets overlooked after the brilliance of the 2005, but that has a lot to offer in its structure and classicism. The fruit character here is dark, still knitted down, even moody, with plenty of aromatics and fresh acidities. The grip is evident, with tannins that are holding everything in place, not quite ready to let go, with earth and liquorice coming through as it opens in the glass. Drinking Window 2020 - 2036.Decanter | 93 DECAromas of fresh herbs with some tobacco, lavender and black fruit. Earth, too. Medium to full body with tight, polished tannins. Long, firm and racy. Drink now.James Suckling | 93 JSYou need to think ahead here, because this wine is currently totally dominated by wood. The richness and classic, balanced structure that is normal with Haut-Bailly seems to have been put aside in favor of a highly polished, toast-laden style. Search for the fruit and there is blackberry,spice and fruit tannin. But it’s hard. Wait 10 years at least.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEBerries, mineral and violet on the nose follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a beautiful floral finish. Starts out earthy, but turns rich and beautiful. Evolves beautifully in the glass. Best after 2013. 6,665 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WSThe 2006 Haut-Bailly is crisp, focused and quite vivid with blue and black fruit intermingling, more floral than the 2005 with iris and violet flowers. The palate is medium-bodied, less body than the 2005 and more mature. A ferrous tincture and tertiary red fruit are laced with tobacco towards the finish. This appears to be evolving a little quicker than expected but it is still drinking well. Tasted at the Haut-Bailly vertical at the château. Vinous Media | 91 VM