Batailley 2015

The nose is bright the fruit on the start of the palate fresh the fruit backed by firm tannins. Richer in the middle a black cherry cassis mix concentration on the back palate the finish is tight the tannins very firm.

Soft, attractive and easy on the palate, this fig and orange peel-scented blend is supple andbeguiling on the palate, with scented vanilla oak and some underlying acidity. A good winefor the medium term. Drink: 2020-28

A chunk, oaky, mineral nose doesn’t hint at any fruit whatsoever, but thankfully there is restrained cassis on the palatealbeit rather hidden by cool tannins. This is not a particularly sensual wine and it is rather short and I needed to workhard s-whirling away like a dervish to get much response.

The 2015 Batailley is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot cropped at 48 hl/ha picked between 17-30 September. Matured in around 55-60% new oak, it has a very focused, intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and mineral notes, perhaps a little Margaux-like in style as those violets blossom with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, a touch of white pepper here lending edginess, gradually building to a very composed and structured finish. This is an excellent Batailley, meliorated by the introduction of a second wine, that continues the upswing in quality over the last six or seven years. I would not be surprised if this settles at the top of my banded score once in bottle. Drink 2022-2050

Wow. The shows a new level of excellence with mint, mineral and currant character. Full body, super fine tannins and a savory finish. New definition here. Precision. New second wine from this estate moved up the quality.

48 hl/ha. Very dark crimson. Attractive fresh minerality. Many steps up from Lions de Batailley. Racy and quite muscular. Not very intense but well balanced and with sufficient energy.Drink 2024-2038