France, Bordeaux

Pauillac Cinquième cru 1855 The name "Batailley" appears to be derived from a battle that occured on the sight in 1453 during the Hundred Years War. During the early 19th Century, Batailley was owned by Daniel Guestier who did much to raise the reputation of the estate such that it was rated a 5th Growth in the 1855 classification. Batailley was purchased in 1932 by François and Marcel Borie who divided the estate between themselves in 1942, with François taking the half that became Haut Batailley and Marcel continuing as Batailley. Marcel's daughter married into the Castéja family, who own Batailley to this day. The two Batailleys are in the south of Pauillac, a little way inland from the Pichons. The 57ha of vines are planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Wines spend up to 18 months is wood, with 55% being new every year.