Chateau Batailley Grand Cru Classe 2014 750ml

91 Points - Wine Advocate

Château Batailley, a 5th Grand Cru Classé of the classification of 1855, is the family Castéja’s and Borie-Manoux’s flagship

It is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc. The name is derived from the battle ("bataille“) – that took place where the chateau and vineyard are today – during the 100-years war in the in 1452. In this battle, the French re-conquered the neighbouring Chateau Latour from the English, a crucial point in the history of Aquitaine. A few years later the first vines were planted on this historical and blood soaked grounds. Chateau Batailley’s garden was designed by Barillet-Deschamps, Napoleon III’s garden architect. In 1855 Napoleon III created the classification for the Grands Crus Classés of the Medoc. And Batailley was knighted Grand Cru.

Batailley is an intensive typical Pauillac, with Cassis and very good structure. Very stable quality across the vintages due to the very old Wines.

Appellation: Pauillac/Medoc/Bordeaux

Blend: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc 

Vintage notes: Utterly sumptuous, this is a real triumph for 2014. The vintage’s freshness is present and correct: there is purity of fruit, elegant, almost seamless tannins and a really nice level of acidity. More luscious and approachable than in recent years, this is (as usual) benchmark Claret and very much on our list of favourites. We very regularly recommend this wine to our customers for a reason, it is reliably consistent, tasty and typically great-value red Bordeaux. A sweetness emerges on the finish, it is aromatically pure and simply charming.