Château Batailley 2016, Pauillac - Tom Cannavan
Château Batailley (pronounced 'BAH-tay-yay') is a fifth growth Cru Classé, the 2016 composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Aromatically this is delightful. It is still fruit driven after nine years, with cassis and glossy black cherry, but tinged with spices and mint, a little pencil-shaving note of finesse. In the mouth it is medium bodied and the tannins still pack a punchy grip. The fruit remains in the black spectrum, and there's a little meatiness and gaminess. The acid balance is lovely here, so between it and the tannins, the finish is dry though the core of fruit persists, pepper and graphite edges into the finish too. Very stylish for decanting and drinking now, or reasonably extended cellaring I'd guess.