2020 Batailley
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Tasting Notes
There’s a lovely crunch to the nose of 2020 Batailley – with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, vibrant fresh blackcurrant, but it’s also really floral, with rose, violet, a white pepper spice, a little cocoa, and a savoury, barnyard touch behind. On the palate it is soft and beautifully textured – like reams of silk, but then the wine firms up as layers of chalky tannins build up to give the wine structure. There’s a slight warmth of alcohol, but a wave of tart, almost green-apple acidity that keeps the wine feeling really fresh. Even now this feels surprisingly approachable, fresh and moreish, with a core of dark and savoury fruit. Once the scent of florals and red fruit fade, the finish is long, earthy and iron-edged.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Takes its time to unroll then shows sweetness to the black cherry and brambled blackberries fruits, followed by cigar, pencil lead and crushed stone. This is signature Batailley in that it has that essence-of-Pauillac feel. A delicious wine, such a great great drinking claret, really one to look out for in this vintage; already looking forward to drinking this in 10 years time. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 60% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha.
The 2020 Batailley is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, aging for 12-14 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. The alcohol is 13.5%. Deep purple-black in color, it offers up notes of fresh blackberries, kirsch and cassis, leading to nuances of pencil shavings, dried Mediterranean herbs and fertile loam. The medium-bodied palate has well-managed, lightly chewy tannins with just enough freshness and straightforward black fruits, finishing with an herbal lift.
This is classically structured with a wonderful finish of extremely polished tannins and an ultra long finish. So much blackcurrant, spice and cedar. Seamless. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 26% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot.
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About the producer
Based in the wine appellation of Pauillac, Château Batailley was classified as a fifth growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification.