| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Historically a part of Batailley until the property was split in two in the 1940's. Until recently this Chateau was owned by the Aunt of Grand Puy Lacoste proprietor Xavier Borie who made the wine. 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 border those of Lynch Bages, Les Forts de Latour and Pichon Lalande. The property was sold to the Cazes family of neighbouring Lynch Bages in March 2017 who have announced that “This acquisition will strengthen our presence in Pauillac with the aim of undertaking a project distinct from Lynch-Bages. In order to respect the estate’s identity and the integrity of its vineyard, the property will be managed independently and have its own dedicated team of technical experts.” 2017 is the first vintage under Cazes ownership.
The 2017 Haut-Batailley is powerful, dark and racy. Dark cherry, gravel, smoke, menthol, licorice and spice all pulse with notable energy and tons of Cabernet Sauvignon savoriness. For such a big wine, Haut-Batailley has quite a bit of nuance, but it is the sense of vibrancy here that is compelling. 2022 - 2042.
The 2017 Haut-Batailley was cropped at 50hl/ha according to Jean-Charles Cazes since they escaped frost damage. It is the first vintage that the Cazes family have full responsibility for (incidentally, the 2016 remains unsold at time of writing). Matured for 18 months in 60% new oak, it has developed nicely since I last tasted it: blackberry, bilberry, graphite and mint aromas stride out of the glass, veins of blue fruit emerging after a couple of minutes of aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite cohesive and dense with good grip towards the finish. There is suppleness here, but there is backbone too. Good potential. Drink 2022-2050.
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Blueberry and blackberry on the nose. Powerful, rich palate where fruit and structure come crashing together. Chewy, savoury and complex, this is a very impressive example that lingers with incense and blackcurrant together. Patience required.
Drink 2027 – 2040
Lovely perfumes and currants with graphite and light herbs. Medium to full body. Creamy tannins. Soft and elegant and creamy at the end. Finesse. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon and 34% merlot. Drink in 2022
The Haut-Batailley 2017 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot and has a deep garnet color. It sashays out of the glass with alluring notions of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly, and blackberry preserves, followed by suggestions of underbrush, dusty soil, and Indian spices. Medium-bodied, the juicy red and black fruit palate is light on its feet, featuring refreshing acidity with soft tannins, finishing earthy.
The first year under the Cazes family, and we can expect big changes over the next few years with an extensive replanting programme planned. But for now, let's look at 2017, where production has been split 33% second wine and 66% grand vin, with no frost to hamper them. It's rich and deep, with a sense of forward motion and flexible tannins pushing the cassis fruit from start to finish, joined by focussed and lively brambled fruits and gentle cedar smoking. The austerity is clear, and it's a little lighter-framed than the Lynch Bages, and very different in personality, but it has real promise and I like it enormously. Expect a new label with the Tour d'Aspic tower and the JM Cazes family name. 60% new oak.
Drinking Window 2025 - 2036
Spicy, moreish Cabernet fruit, the tannins firm but already smooth. Dark and spicy on the nose, relatively closed at the moment but the sample is cool. Really fine texture, so elegant. Beautifully fresh and juicy, sustained too and dark-fruited on the finish. Fine balance and fruit intensity.
Drink 2027-2040
The 2017 blend here is similar to Lynch Bages with 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot being aged in 60% new oak. An impressive start under the new ownership! Deep ruby colour with plush and fleshy black fruits and exotic incense on the nose. The palate has good depth of black fruit with some muscular tannins, though they are refined and do reveal a glossy finish of morello cherries and cassis. The oak is present but not out of balance, offering an exotic, smoky, but harmonious finish.
The fruit on the nose is bright and fresh spring violets the start of the palate has bilberry and black currant. Depth in the middle the fruit sweet and ripe rich at the back with a fresh streak on the finish. Drink 2025 - 2037.
The 2017 Haut Batailley, which is matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, is clearly more sophisticated than the second wine, polished by the oak of course but underneath its intense blackberry and boysenberry fruit, quite floral with touches of violet and iris. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, well-integrated oak and very smooth polished finish that glides across the mouth. There is fine precision on the finish. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2020 - 2032.
This is very structured and serious. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful. Boom. This is one of the best Haut-Batailleys in years. From the new owners, who also own Lynch-Bages.
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Haut Batailley sings of baked blackberries, black cherry compote and warm cassis with hints of fungi and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with black fruit flavors and loads of earthy accents, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing savory. Drink 2021-2037.
