| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. The 2010 Haut Batailley is beginning to reach the potential I enthused about when I first tasted this from barrel. Much like the 2009 Haut-Batailley, it has a very expressive bouquet that needs a lot of coaxing from the glass. And like many 2010s it is a broody bugger, stubborn and obdurate but when you get to the palate...this is where the action is! This is where the quality positively shines through with very fine tannin: extremely pure fruit, a judicious touch of spice and a long and tender finish that is seamless. It needs 8-10 years for those aromatics to open but judging by the quality of the palate, it will be worth the wait. Tasted July 2016.
Drink Date 2022 - 2040
This is firm and structured with blueberry and hazelnut character. Full body, with fine tannins and a juicy finish. So long and pretty. Wonderful texture. Better after 2017.
Sexy creme de cassis notes along with a big kiss of cedar wood, spice box and licorice are all present in this dense, ruby/purple-colored wine, which is lush and silky smooth, with opulence and early appeal. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years.
Owned by Xavier Borie, the proprietor of the better-known Grand Puy Lacoste, this 2010 is a beauty and one of the strongest efforts he's produced over recent years.
Somewhat over-shadowed by the same owner's Grand Puy Lacoste, this property always produces classic Pauillac at a reasonable price. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, maturing in 55% new oak. Blackcurrant and cream on the nose with fresh, pure red berries. Subtle hints of cigar box and tobacco leaf. This is a wine of elegance and purity rather than power. It is a really fine and classic Pauillac that has all the key elements - ripeness of fruit, balance and poise. Supremely classy and the perfect claret for those who want their Bordeaux to really taste like Bordeaux. Excellent and should be fairly priced as always. Xavier Borie - who is not the show-off type - believes that this will be the best Haut Batailley since the 1961.
Black fruits intermingle on the nose quite rich and deep. The palate has the freshness of bilberry and bramble a racy brightness with behind it fruit power a lovely depth of flavour. There is good structure with the ripe tannins ensuring richness on the finish.
Very good depth of elegant Cabernet fruit and lovely fragrance and lift, a perfectly poised Haut-Batailley. Drink 2015-25.
This is always the most St.-Julien-like of the Pauillacs (although occasionally Pichon-Lalande possesses a suave, St.-Julian character and less power than many Pauillacs). The dark ruby/purple-hued 2010 reveals sweet aromas of red and black currants, cedar and spicy background oak. It is an attractive, elegant, mid-weight wine with polished tannins as well as a restrained style. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Haut Batailley was surly and did not want to play game upon first acquaintance: very closed on the nose, anonymous and needing more fruit intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe black dusty fruit, moderate acidity but a rather dour, conservative finish that lacks a little vigour and length. Returning after a few minutes, it begins to come together and is far more convincing and affirming the performance out of barrel. Phew! Lock this down in the cellar for another four or five years. Tasted January 2014.
Moving on from the Lacoste Borie 2010, the Haut-Batailley immediately displays more fruit intensity on the nose with blackberry, graphite, flint and dried pressed flowers. It is well defined and blossoms with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and crisp brambly black fruit laced with graphite and a touch of cracked black pepper. It is a "classic" Haut-Batailley for sure, foursquare and beautifully balanced with a refined, rather aristocratic finish. Very fine. Tasted November 2012.
The Haut-Batailley '10 is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. It has what you might describe as a very "natural" bouquet with wild blackberry, raspberry, just a touch of pencil lead and wet limestone. Not an intense nose, but very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with very precise tannins, good acidity, just a little hardness at the front-palate, but this will soften. The backbone is very impressive, the finish very masculine, classic, the Cabernet Sauvignon dominating and imparting great purity and expression of terroir. Superb. As always, one of Pauillac's over-looked gems. Drink 2017-2040. Tasted March 2011.
An impressive intensity of fruit here with blueberries and lemon character. Full and very well-integrated, with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Better than 2000?
