CHATEAU BATAILLEY 5eme Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac 2019 Bottle

Description

Château Batailley is one of the oldest estates in Pauillac and is well-regarded for its classic, dependable style. The 2019 vintage is a traditional blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with portions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. As a 5th Grand Cru Classé, it reflects the prestigious gravel soils of the region, which provide excellent drainage and depth.

The wine was aged in French oak barrels, resulting in a structured and firm profile. It offers straightforward flavours of blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite, with well-integrated tannins that suggest it will age well for many years. This is a medium-to-full-bodied red that is balanced and precise, staying true to the historic, savoury character that Pauillac is known for. It is an excellent choice for pairing with lamb or beef.

JAMES SUCKLING 95 points
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.

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle
(at Bordeaux, 05 Jan 2022) Part of Best Pauillac 2019 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2044
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 drive the flavour from start to finish. Still very much taught and knitted together, just beginning to show what it's made of. One to buy and age. Great typicity. Tasted twice.

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking window: 2025 - 2042
The 2019 Haut-Batailley has a very attractive, wonderfully delineated bouquet, with blood orange tincturing the vibrant black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, slightly peppery in style with real depth and longevity on the finish. This is excellent and might well represent the best vintage under "new management."
Neal Martin. Tasting date: November 2023

WINE ENTHUSIAST 94 points
All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 93+
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Drink Date: 2027 - 2055
The 2019 Batailley is performing well from bottle, delivering aromas of rich cassis fruit mingled with notions of licorice and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a generous core of fruit, lively acids and plenty of ripe, powdery tannin, this is a chunky, flavorful Pauillac that will develop well in bottle.

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ABOUT CHATEAU BATAILLEY
Château Batailley is a distinguished winery located in the Bordeaux region of France, specifically in the renowned Pauillac appellation. This historic estate dates back to the 14th century and has a long-standing reputation for producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Médoc region. Château Batailley is classified as a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, a testament to its quality and heritage.

The vineyard covers approximately 60 hectares, predominantly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, along with additional plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The estate’s proximity to the Gironde River and its gravelly soils provide ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes, resulting in wines that are known for their elegance, depth, and ageing potential.

Château Batailley’s winemaking philosophy emphasises traditional methods combined with modern techniques. The grapes are meticulously harvested and sorted, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks to preserve the fruit's integrity and enhance the wine's character. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels, a process that contributes to its complexity and structure.

The resulting wines from Château Batailley are celebrated for their rich blackcurrant and cherry fruit flavours, complemented by notes of cedar, tobacco, and spice. These wines are characterised by firm tannins and balanced acidity, making them suitable for long-term ageing. Château Batailley produces both a classic blend and a second wine, Les Roscianes, which offers a more accessible entry point while maintaining the estate's hallmark quality.

Château Batailley has received numerous accolades and high ratings from critics, further reinforcing its position as a leading producer in the Bordeaux region. The estate is committed to sustainable practices, ensuring the health of its vineyards and contributing to the preservation of the beautiful Bordeaux landscape. With a rich history and a dedication to quality, Château Batailley continues to be a prominent name in the world of fine wines, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts alike.