Haut Batailley 2009

The powerful mix of fruits enriches the nose and gives weight of flavour on the palate. Black cherry and cassis appear to dominate but behind is richer more structured sloe. Although the tannins are firm and slightly angular they do feel ripe allowing the fruit to fill out the back palate. Drink 2018-2040.

François-Xavier Borie reduced the percentage of Merlot from 30% to 20% in 2009 to retain freshness and structure in the resulting wine. There's a lot of new oak here at the moment, but more than enough cassis and black cherry fruit to balance it. Good length. Fine tannins. 15+ years.

Dense red, big smoky cassis Cabernet Sauvignon nose, has seductive charm, great length and firm finish, a lovely wine. Drink 2015-25.

Tasted at Château Grand Puy Lacoste. The nose is quite closed at the moment. Good definition, ripe blackfruits, earthy almost clayey at the moment. Whilst the aromatics are a little unsettled after bottling, the palate shows good structure with a slight saline touch on the entry. Chalky tannins, not quite in synch with the fruit at the moment although that will come in time. Good potential, but afford this 3-4 years to coalesce in bottle. Tasted November 2011.

Tasted at Château Grand Puy Lacoste. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, picked between 26th September until 7th October. This Haut-Batailley has a tight, quite elegant nose, pert black fruits, blackberry leaf, a touch of sous-bois, graphite, a hint of undergrowth. It needs time to expand and blossom in the glass. The palate is very fresh with fine tannins, surfeit with coiled energy, the finish very vibrant, slightly Oriental with faint hints of Hoi Sin and even a touch of yellow plum. Very harmonious on the finish. Excellent…it reminds me of the superb '06. Tasted March 2010.

Even though Haut-Batailley is usually a finesse-styled Pauillac, the 2009 is somewhat light for the vintage. However, it exhibits lovely, round, berry fruit, a hint of loamy soil, medium body, soft tannins, and a pretty, elegant style. It should drink nicely for 15+ years. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2010-2025.

Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. The 2009 Haut Batailley has a much tighter and less expressive bouquet than many 2009s at the moment (in fact, you might think this was a 2010 if served blind!). Fortunately it only takes a few swirls to reveal some gorgeous minerally blackberry, bilberry and crushed limestone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a more structured 2009 Pauillac than others, yet beautifully balanced and with plenty of fruit towards the precise finish. This feels like a very polished Haut-Batailleynot in the winery, rather by nature. Tasted July 2016.Drink Date 2019 - 2035