95pts James Suckling

This is a fine-tannined and racy young wine with blackberry, blackcurrant and light mint aromas that follow through to a full to medium body with long, polished tannins and a persistent finish. A classic and classy young wine. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Drink after 2025.

95pts Decanter

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.

94pts Falstaff

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.

Winery Notes

Chateau Batailley, a 5th Cru of the classification of 1855, is Borie-Manoux's and the Casteja-family's flagship. The name is derived from the battle ("bataille") that took place where the chateau and vineyard are today during the 100-years war around 1453. In this battle, the French re-conquered the neighbouring Chateau Latour from the English, a crucial point for ending the 300 year long reign of the English in Aquitaine. In the 16th century, the first vines were planted on these historical grounds.