Château Batailley
It is not often the words "Pauillac" and "good value" are found in the same sentence, but this can certainly be said about the Fifth Cru Classé, Château Batailley. With roots dating as far back as the 1400s, Château Batailley took its name from the word “bataille” (meaning battle), in memory of a battle in 1453 where French troops succeeded in re-capturing Château Latour from the English. Eventually acquired by famed Bordeaux négociant Daniel Guestier in 1816, who aggressively increased Batailley’s acreage with more plots adjacent to Lynch Bages and Grand Puy Lacoste, Château Batailley’s reputation climbed steadily and after changing hands a few times, had part of the estate branching off as Château Haut Batailley.
Today, Château Batailley owns 60 hectares of vines planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot making up the remaining. Vines are, on average, 40 years of age and grow on soils consisting of gravel, clay and sand with a maximum elevation of 27 metres.
One of the most reliable wines from the Left Bank, Château Batailley is a wine to turn to for a classic taste of Bordeaux at a non-stratospheric price.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£243.20 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (92)The 1959 Batailley mirrors previous encounters with this Pauillac. It has a typically opulent bouquet that is the signature of the vintage with mulberry and boysenberry fruit, juniper berries and thyme. I find this example less meaty than previous bottles, though. The palate is well defined with fine tannin, quite tensile with cedar and graphite towards the finish. It does not quite possess the panache of the 1961, which can be marvelous on the day. But I appreciate the generosity after so many years. Tasted at the château. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£789.47 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£895.27 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£539.47 |
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Wine Advocate (91+)The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 91+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£590.47 |
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Wine Advocate (91+)The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£564.07 |
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James Suckling (94-95)Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality. |
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Bordeaux | 5 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£405.64 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 75 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£326.44 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£564.07 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£464.47 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£301.24 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£432.07 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£237.04 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£213.64 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£242.44 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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Bordeaux | 9 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£442.87 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£256.24 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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Bordeaux | 5 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£221.44 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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Bordeaux | 5 | 93-94 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£439.78 |
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James Suckling (93-94)Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£281.09 |
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Decanter (97)Vibrant and intense colour in the glass, richly scented, floral and perfumed, open and inviting. Intense and concentrated, the fruit is dark and ripe but there’s no hint of over ripeness here and instead you get cool blue fruits, chalky tannins and minty freshness with accents of liquorice, coffee, tobacco, cedar spice and clove. Tannins are clearly at the fore, giving the structure and the frame while the juicy acidity gives the energy and life. Still on the serious side, not tense so much as there’s good persistence, it’s lean and streamlined, but refined in a spiced and mineral way. Gorgeous terroir markers, lovely detail and precision, you can feel they haven't worked too much or tried too hard. It carries the signature of the estate in the serious structure, it’s a big wine, there’s such power here but so well controlled and delivered. Razor sharp, focussed and persistent. A gorgeous 2022, well executed and will be a clear success. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£97.69 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)You want to know what Pauillac tastes like, roll up and enjoy this vintage of Batailley. Squid ink, slate, cassis, bilberry, slate, crayon, black chocolate, plenty of tannic grip, a smudge of grilled cedar oak and a squeeze of mint, it's all here. 57% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 12 through to October 5, Axel Marchal consultant, Philippe and Frederic Castéja owners. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£261.89 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)You want to know what Pauillac tastes like, roll up and enjoy this vintage of Batailley. Squid ink, slate, cassis, bilberry, slate, crayon, black chocolate, plenty of tannic grip, a smudge of grilled cedar oak and a squeeze of mint, it's all here. 57% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 12 through to October 5, Axel Marchal consultant, Philippe and Frederic Castéja owners. |
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Bordeaux | 10 | 89-91 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£249.89 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (89-91)The 2020 Lions de Batailley has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light cigar box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite tinged black fruit on the entry, fine weight, quite sweet towards the finish whilst retaining Pauillac-like structure. This is a thoroughly decent Deuxième Vin. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£200.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (92)The 1959 Batailley mirrors previous encounters with this Pauillac. It has a typically opulent bouquet that is the signature of the vintage with mulberry and boysenberry fruit, juniper berries and thyme. I find this example less meaty than previous bottles, though. The palate is well defined with fine tannin, quite tensile with cedar and graphite towards the finish. It does not quite possess the panache of the 1961, which can be marvelous on the day. But I appreciate the generosity after so many years. Tasted at the château. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
In Bond
£622.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
In Bond
£714.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91+ (WA) |
In Bond
£415.00 |
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Wine Advocate (91+)The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 91+ (WA) |
In Bond
£460.00 |
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Wine Advocate (91+)The 2014 Batailley has an attractive bouquet, lilting scents of redcurrant and raspberry coulis, quite floral and very precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth and body, rounded for Batailley and less austere than usual. It feels closed towards the finish, tight-lipped, but there is certainly grip and presence here. It will require several years in bottle before it can show its true potential, but there is a sense of class to this Batailley that I suspect will become more evident with maturity. Tasted twice with consistent notes. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£438.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality. |
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Bordeaux | 5 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£322.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 75 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£256.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£438.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£355.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£235.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£328.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£181.50 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£162.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Shows beautiful, ripe cabernet aromas with currants, plums, meat and smoke. Flowers, too. Full body, deep and ripe fruit and exquisite, ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. Tight right now, but shows excellent potential. Best ever. Try after 2024. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£186.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 9 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£337.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£197.50 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 5 | 95 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£168.50 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2020 Batailley appears to have gone up a couple of gears since I tasted it just after bottling. It has a perfumed, wonderfully precise nose, almost Margaux-like in style, with scents of cassis and crushed violet blossoming in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent blackberry and hints of licorice on the entry. It's quite saline, building with confidence toward the finish of real heft. This will need a decade to come around, but it will be worth waiting for. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 5 | 93-94 (JS) |
In Bond
£328.00 |
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James Suckling (93-94)Subtle aromas of currants and fresh flowers with some tar and graphite. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. Very typical and bright for Pauillac. Linear and fine. Solid and tight. Well age nicely. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (DC) |
In Bond
£215.00 |
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Decanter (97)Vibrant and intense colour in the glass, richly scented, floral and perfumed, open and inviting. Intense and concentrated, the fruit is dark and ripe but there’s no hint of over ripeness here and instead you get cool blue fruits, chalky tannins and minty freshness with accents of liquorice, coffee, tobacco, cedar spice and clove. Tannins are clearly at the fore, giving the structure and the frame while the juicy acidity gives the energy and life. Still on the serious side, not tense so much as there’s good persistence, it’s lean and streamlined, but refined in a spiced and mineral way. Gorgeous terroir markers, lovely detail and precision, you can feel they haven't worked too much or tried too hard. It carries the signature of the estate in the serious structure, it’s a big wine, there’s such power here but so well controlled and delivered. Razor sharp, focussed and persistent. A gorgeous 2022, well executed and will be a clear success. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£90.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)You want to know what Pauillac tastes like, roll up and enjoy this vintage of Batailley. Squid ink, slate, cassis, bilberry, slate, crayon, black chocolate, plenty of tannic grip, a smudge of grilled cedar oak and a squeeze of mint, it's all here. 57% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 12 through to October 5, Axel Marchal consultant, Philippe and Frederic Castéja owners. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (JA) |
In Bond
£199.00 |
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)You want to know what Pauillac tastes like, roll up and enjoy this vintage of Batailley. Squid ink, slate, cassis, bilberry, slate, crayon, black chocolate, plenty of tannic grip, a smudge of grilled cedar oak and a squeeze of mint, it's all here. 57% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 12 through to October 5, Axel Marchal consultant, Philippe and Frederic Castéja owners. |
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|
Bordeaux | 10 | 89-91 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£189.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (89-91)The 2020 Lions de Batailley has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light cigar box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite tinged black fruit on the entry, fine weight, quite sweet towards the finish whilst retaining Pauillac-like structure. This is a thoroughly decent Deuxième Vin. |