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Batailley 2008

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

Wood spice, earth, black currant and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this elegant, medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, well-textured effort. From the bottle, it confirms the high quality I noted two years ago from barrel. More forward than usual for Batailley, it is a dark plum-hued wine that requires 2-4 years of bottle age, but should easily last 15+ years.

90
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

The 2008 Batailley is a 22% Merlot, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, a late harvest according to Philippe Castéja that finished on 20 October. It has a deep garnet core with little sign of ageing on the rim. The bouquet is fresh and vibrant: blackberry and boysenberry fruit intermixed with cedar and bay leaf. There is commendable energy after ten years. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp cranberry and blackberry fruit laced with white pepper, cedar and smoke. There is body and density afforded to this Batailley: a solid and trustworthy Pauillac that should age well over the next 15 to 20 years. One to watch. Drink 2018 - 2038.

91
Neal Martin, vinous.com, February 2018

Dense, complex crimson. Interesting, putty nose. Lots of intrigue here. Plush, broad, complex flavours already. Very lively. Sweet though more acid than tannin in evidence.

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009

The nose has some sweet fruit cassis and black cherry. The palate has sweetness but the tannin
is still very obvious on the mid palate. Richer flavours help to give more weight and richness at
the back. 2013-2024

91
Derek Smedley MW, November 2012
Read more tasting notes...

The 2008, which was harvested between October 2-15, is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It exhibits Batailley's well-known tannic profile, but the high level of polyphenols in this vintage equates to sweet tannins and no astringency whatsoever. A deep purple color is followed by sweet aromas of creme de cassis, forest floor, damp earth, licorice, and a subtle hint of wood. Part of the Batailley vineyard is only 800 meters from the St.-Julien border, but this is a classic Pauillac. The 2008 should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25-30.Proprietor Philippe Casteja built a beautiful new winemaking facility in 2006, and he is now working closely with the famed Professor of Oenology at the University of Bordeaux, Denis Dubourdieu. The resulting wines reveal sweeter tannins without losing the structure, richness, or aging potential this wine typically possesses. The high tannin levels and backward character found in older vintages made the wines nearly unapproachable, but that has all changed.

90/92
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (182), April 2009

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. This has a rounded, intense nose with ample brambly black fruit, touch of raspberry leaf and cedar with good definition. Very bright and lively compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy entry. Very supple tannins and a caressing mouthfeel considering the vintage. There are lush ripe red fruits intermingling with sous-bois on the finish. The Merlot is expressive and very attractive here. Just give this a few years to come into its own. Tasted January 2012.

91
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, January 2012

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot cropped at 46hl/ha, the Batailley '08 has a wonderful cigar box infused nose that soars from the glass: brambly black fruits, a touch of smoke and cedar. Great definition - a sense of exuberance here. The palate is tannic, masculine, cedary with pencil-lead infused black fruits. It is the fineness of the tannins that has changed so much in recent vintages. Quintessential Pauillac. Superb.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.