Chateau Batailley 2019

Heady and seductive on the nose with touches of graphite, blackcurrant and cherry fruit. This is lovely; you get a sense of understated power, smooth and layered on the palate with wood spice, liquorice, menthol and gravel/wet stone notes and a core of ripe black fruit. Tannins are supportive—supple and softly gripping, giving this a structured frame and driving the flavour from start to finish. Still very much taut and knitted together, just beginning to show what it's made of. One to buy and age. Great typicity. Tasted twice.

Fresh, bright, crisp, vibrant and polished, the wine is packed with ripe, sweet, juicy crème de cassis, blackberries, tobacco leaf, cigar box and leafy herbs. Medium to full-bodied, lifted, vibrant, refined and chewy, the red berry finish builds and lingers with its freshness, spicy, peppery tones and ripe tannins. As good as this is now, if you age it for a few years, it is going to be an even better experience. Drink from 2027–2055.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine touch of oak, some cherry and nougat, a hint of vanilla, ripe blackberry, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, fine fruit sweetness, ripe tannins, fresh structure, mineral, chocolate on the finish, shows good length, very good development and certain ageing potential.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 14.5% vol. alcohol) Dense, deep, elegant, dark, mineral bouquet; black berries, currants, licorice, flint, dark chocolate. Densely knit, elegant, fresh palate with plenty of fine tannins, a finely concentrated structure, varied dark aromatics, dark fruit, long, full finish.

Dense, velvety, dark, creamy bouquet: cassis cream, black cherries, liquorice, fine roasted notes, dark chocolate, noble woods. A tightly knit, creamy, balanced palate with powerful dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, dense structure, varied, intense aromatics, and a long, creamy finish with sweet echoes. 18/20 2025 - 2050

Deep ruby red in colour, this has a beautiful slow catch release, steady and on the edge of reserved, pulses of mineralty and energy, creme de cassis, crushed mint leaf, cigar box, campfire, anis, fennel, black cherry jam. Fine tannic architecture, will go the distance. Axel Marchal and Valerie Lavigne consultants, Philippe Casteja owner.

The 2019 Batailley is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to bring out scents of redcurrant jelly, baked plums, and cassis, plus hints of cedar chest and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is fine-grained and lively, with bright, crunchy red and black fruits and an earthy finish.

Very well built, this 2019 offers a classic nose, very “Pauillac-like,” with notes of charcoal and black fruits. The texture is elegant and refined. It will age beautifully and yield a wine that is both racy and deep, perfectly balanced.

Logo on the cork: PK The highest score given to this cru en primeur is confirmed. Very beautiful deep purple color. Highly aromatic nose, fruity and subtle. Delicate on entry and immediately very fruity, the wine caresses the palate, glides, and gains in intensity between the mid-palate and the finish, where it really scores. Long persistence, with wrapped tannins that let the fruit shine through.