Château Haut-Batailley 2016

Fresh and direct, with threads of chalk, bay leaf and savory pulling a core of black currant and cherry fruit along. Displays a flash of iron on the finish, with a hint of austerity from an echo of plum pit at the very end. Best from 2021 through 2029.

The Cazes family bought this estate in spring 2017 and have overseen the ageing of this wine, but not its production. It wasn’t released en primeur due to the timing of the sale. This is a good-quality Pauillac, still very much in the primeur register but now with an appealing openness to the structure that suggests it won’t take as long to reach its drinking window as some. Sweet black fruits are joined by gentle, well-handled tannins and a nice freshness. It has an enjoyable, silky texture.

The blackcurrants and blueberries with violets on the nose are fascinating. Full-bodied and very tightly wound, with gorgeous tannins and a linear, bright finish. Needs two to four years to come together. Try after 2023.

Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Relatively evolved on both nose and palate. Easy to appreciate already. Fresh and just a tad simple but awfully nice! (JR)

The 2016 Haut-Batailley has a more open bouquet than the '16 Lynch Bages, but quite compelling, with more red fruit here, touches of cedar and undergrowth, superb delineation and plenty of character. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, very well balanced, a little fleshier in style, with a harmonious, lightly spiced finish. This is an absolute charmer. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Floral, lifted nose with raspberry, cassis, fine wood and mild spices. Dense palate with ripe, rounded extract, well balanced with finely roasted notes, coffee, mocha and savoury dark fruit, and a long, weighty, well-balanced finish.

This estate hit a home run with their 2016 Château Haut-Batailley. This medium- to full-bodied beauty oozes classic Pauillac notes of dried tobacco, new saddle leather, and earthy, spicy dark fruits. Nicely concentrated, perfectly balanced, and with building tannins, it has enough elegance and purity to offer pleasure even today, yet it’s going to keep for two decades or more. It’s well worth seeking out.

Fresh, classic, elegant bouquet: blueberries, black berries, nougat, tobacco, cedar, fine roasted notes. Densely woven, elegant palate with vibrant, refined fruit, plenty of fine tannins, powerful and varied aromatics, dense structure, long, full finish. 18/20 2022 - 2040

2016 shows a charming, fresh and indulgent profile here. A wine that plays the elegance card, with a rounded palate and already more accessible than many of its neighbors.

Delightful, ample, complete, sappy, juicy, lovely acidic tension, supple tannins, long finish.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. An intense nose with ripe fruit and a touch of citrus. A tender, fruity, flavorful palate, slightly discreet as it unfolds. A somewhat old-school profile. This is a transitional vintage: the Cazes family became the owner in March 2017.