Château Haut-Batailley 2022

Wild berries, herbal-spicy notes, also a hint of green bell pepper; dense palate, compact, crisp fruit, chalky tannins, lively acidity, a mineral-driven finish with very good length. A wine I underestimated en primeur. Very well made.

Juicy and fresh, with a mix of red and black currant and cherry notes infused with an iris accent. Shows purity through the iron-tinged finish. An elegantly styled Pauillac that should age gracefully in the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2040.

This has softened since Primeurs, with high acidity and bright, almost high-toned red berry fruit now flexing their muscles. Relatively streamlined, this is focused in a direct line from start to finish with edges of slate and graphite. A twist of buttery orange peel lines the finish with some wet stone touches too. Still a little tannic and a touch dry and powdery on the finish, so not for immediate enjoyment like some, but this will be good when it relaxes more.

There’s a very attractive palate to this, showing lead pencil, blackcurrants and granite. Hints of herbs and tobacco. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy tannins and a savory finish. It’s firm and lively at the end. Drink after 2028.

The 2022 Haut-Batailley has an intense bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry and light aniseed scents. Like others here, it is a little bullish at first, though it gains clarity in the glass. The palate is very smooth on the entry, with plenty of black fruit laced with graphite, and just a slight herbaceous element towards the finish that should be integrated with time. This is going to be a beauty. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Dark in color and profile, the wine is vibrant, crisp, and juicy, showcasing black, red, and blue fruits, along with pepper, flowers, and currants on the nose. On the palate, it is chewy, intense, powerful, tannic, and long. The finish lingers with its fruit and a minty edge in the endnote. The wine consists of a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Drink from 2029-2055.

Deep dark ruby colour with purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Nuances of cassis with delicate floral notes in the background, red heart cherries, fresh tangerine zest, attractive bouquet. Juicy, red currant, red cherry, some nougat, fresh acidity, mineral and salty finish, lively, animating style, good ageing potential.

Juicy red, blue, and black fruits, scorched earth, sappy flowers, and chalky minerality all emerge from the 2022 Château Haut-Batailley, a beautifully pure, polished, elegant Pauillac that's medium to full-bodied, has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and ultra-fine tannins. I love its overall balance, and this is up with the finest vintages I've tasted from this château. The 2022 is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, raised in 65% new French oak. It’s going to benefit from just 4-5 years of bottle age (it’s far from unapproachable today) and have 30 years of overall longevity.

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Delicate, finely textured bouquet with fragrant iris and violet, blueberry jelly and graphite. On the complex palate, a silky texture, perfectly supporting tension, a tight-knit tannic frame and a well-toned body. In the concentrated, aromatic finish, a basket of blue berries, dark minerality and fine-grained astringency. Everything is in its right place here; I’ve never been as convinced as this year.

Deep plum and blackberry fruit, a touch of gunsmoke reduction on first opening, softening to show depth and flesh to the fruit. 65% new oak. Yield of 41 hl/ha.

On the nose, velvety fruit with purple nuances combines with notes of Damask rose and fresh flower sap. The palate, rich and indulgent, reveals chocolatey notes, sap, and ripe fruit. A finely granular texture appears on the finish.

The nose is elegant, deep, racy and precise, with a touch of refined austerity. It reveals notes of fresh blackberry, strawberry and, more subtly, dense small fruits, complemented by hints of lilac, elegant roasted small berries, a discreet touch of incense and gravelly notes. The palate is finely crafted, chiselled and tense, offering lovely energy, a tangy backbone, precision and suppleness. On the palate, this wine delivers notes of juicy, crunchy blackcurrant and violet, and, more subtly, wild red berries, with touches of small red berries and rhubarb, fine hints of violet and flowers, as well as a note of graphene and tobacco, plus a discreet toasted and chocolatey touch. Good length. Fine, silky tannins.

Beautiful deep colour with black hues. An intense nose with ripe, smooth fruit. A lovely touch of liquorice when the glass is swirled. Supple on the attack, particularly flavoursome on the mid-palate, with a rich body and a velvety flow; the wine glides into the finish, where it regains a fresher nuance. Long and very good.

The balance is perfect, with a subtle bouquet of small purple flowers, blackcurrant berries and buds, and light tannins that sketch out a chalky texture—coating the palate while allowing a vibrant, dynamic tension to shine through. Just enough firmness to promise great ageing potential, without losing the pleasure of the fruit.