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Haut Batailley 2021

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

Historically a part of Batailley until the property was split in two in the 1940s. Until recently this château was owned by the aunt of Grand Puy Lacoste proprietor Xavier Borie, who made the wine. The property was sold to the Cazes family of neighbouring Lynch Bages in March 2017. Quality has jumped under the new ownership and there is a stylish new label and a new second wine called "Verso". The 40 hectare property has 22 hectares of vines (average age 35 years) and these are planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The vines are extremely well situated, bordering those of Lynch Bages, Les Forts de Latour and Pichon Lalande.

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Label

Tasting Notes

Offering up aromas of cassis, minty blackberries, lilac and pencil shavings, the 2021 Haut-Batailley is medium to full-bodied, supple and polished, with a succulent core of fruit and delicately chalky tannins. For many years, significant parts of this property were left unplanted, but as of 2022, all 41 hectares are now under vine; so, there'll be more of this Pauillac—with its new, more modern style—to go around. Drink Date: 2025 - 2041

91
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, February 2024

The 2021 Haut-Batailley is matured in 70% new oak for a planned 16 months. There is a large gap between this and the Verso, this Grand Vin displaying far more delineation and complexity, furnished with quite disarming estuarine-tinged black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry, certainly one of the more saline Pauillac wines that I have encountered, and a structured, classically styled finish. For Bordeaux lovers looking for old-school claret. (13.12% alcohol)

90/92
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2022

The 2021 is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot from a lower than normal yield of 35 hl/ha. Maturation in 70% new oak. Deep ruby colour. The nose shows black fruit, liquorice, tobacco and coffee bean tones. This is powerful and muscular for the vintage, but it is still a wine of linear persistance rather than breadth. Energetic and tense, with fine blackcurrant fruit and grippy Médocain tannins. Tightly coiled, intense, and finishing with a flourish, this shows very good potential and is a vin de garde in 2021.

91/94
Thomas Parker MW, Farr Vintners, April 2022

A firm and refined red with crushed-stone and salty, mineral character, as well as creamy tannins. Some iodine, too. Medium body. Medium finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2022

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the 2021 Haut-Batailley is deep garnet-purple in color. It springs from the glass with blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and cedar notes plus wafts of underbrush and black pepper. Light to medium-bodied, the palate delivers chewy tannins with a lively backbone to support the pepper-laced black fruits, finishing long and savory.
2026-2040

87/89
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

This is setting out a serious stall, with depth through the palate and a sense of lively momentum. Cabernet dominant, with savoury fruits that are just a little short on the finish, rose stems, raspberry leaf, whispers of violet and peony and a ton of slate and pencil lead giving the Pauillac character. 70% new oak. 40ha now in total, after extra planting of the vineyard.

91
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2022
Read more tasting notes...

The 2021 Haut-Batailley is a charming, medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine evocative of cassis, sweet berries, pipe tobacco and pencil shavings. Supple and succulent, with an ample core of fruit and ripe, powdery tannins, it will likely take on additional depth with further élevage. Significant replanting of fallow parcels is underway at this Pauillac estate, but those vines are currently relegated to the second wine, the Verso of Haut-Batailley.

90/93
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (260), April 2022
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.