CHÂTEAU BATAILLEY

Youthfully compact, with the core of black currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors still coiled up. There's a sturdy backdrop of singed alder, warm earth and smoldering cast iron that give it an old school touch. Structure is ripe and energetic too. Really well built. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drinking range: 2024 - 2036 Rating: 93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Jan 2021)

The 2018 Batailley is deep garnet-purple in color and offers up bright Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant notes over a cassis and plum preserves core with a waft of dried mint. Full-bodied with a good core of juicy fruit, it has approachable, ripe tannins and a lively lift to the finish. Rating: 92-94 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2019)

Black core, purple rim. Cedary blackcurrant and already quite expressive. A note of dark chocolate over the fruit. Surprisingly smooth tannins, obviously carefully handled. Still chewy but not tough. Should come together. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 16 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2019)

This is very structured and dense with lots of fruit and tannin, yet it’s tight and long. Linear and racy. Muscular. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2019)

The 2018 Batailley is powerful and resonant in the glass, with terrific textural richness and plenty of underlying structure as well. Lavender, rose petal, mint and spice infuse a rich, sumptuous Pauillac loaded with personality. Tasted two times. Rating: 91-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2019)

The blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, with an alcohol of 14%. The yields are a striking 52 hl/ha, so presumably the approach here to mildew was full-on. It is dark and grained, with a lightly toasted character on the nose, with notes of grilled black cherry, the overarching style confident and sweet. The palate shows a very fine substance, rich and broad, with notes of blackcurrant, praline and some peppery nuances, along with great energy. In the end this is fresh, broad, grippy and cool. A hugely impressive Pauillac, brimming with tannic energy and potential. Well done. The élevage is in 60% new oak and 40% second-fill barrels. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2019)

This is an open style that displays a black fruit flavor and soft tannins. Its berry flavors and ripe fruitiness are full integrated with the spice tone and bright acidity. Look for this wine to age well over the next 10 years. Rating: 93 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast www.winemag.com (Apr 2019)