Chateau Haut Batailley 2021

Galloni: "The 2021 Haut-Batailley is a few steps up from the second wine. Dark and ample in feel, with broad shoulders, the Grand Vin possesses notable depth and intensity right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, licorice, spice and leather race across the palate. Readers will find a Pauillac of power and depth that are typical of the southern part of the appellation."

Weinwisser: "70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 13,12 Vol.-%, IPT 77. Feingliedriges Bouquet mit roter Kirsche, frischem Johannisbeernektar und zartem Flieder. Am geradlinig fleischigen Gaumen mit weicher Textur, nerviger Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und drahtigem Körper. Im gebündelt fein aromatischen Finale rotbeerige Konturen, helles Graphit und fein körnige Adstringenz. Kann noch zulegen."

Suckling: "A firm and refined red with crushed-stone and salty, mineral character, as well as creamy tannins. Some iodine, too. Medium body. Medium finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot."

Decanter: "Open and violet-scented bramble fruits, some smoked cherries and milk chocolate. Smooth and supple, this has generosity of fruit, acidity and velvety tannins. Round and just so delicious, really very moreish, all in balance with the texture that is both fine as well as plump, giving this total mouth-coating feel with a delicacy but also depth of flavour. Extremely approachable even at this stage with so much life and energy but well controlled too. I love this! The creamy, chalky edges are so appealing, it's by no means a showstopper but for balance, harmony and a lovely fresh and soft and gentle Claret it's delicious. That mint, liquorice ending is great too. Has persistence and length. Eric Boissenot consultant."

Dunnuck: "The 2021 Château Haut-Batailley shines, and this estate, under the helm of the team from Lynch-Bages, is one to watch. Classic Cabernet notes of cassis, violets, and graphite give way to a medium to full-bodied effort offering ripe, polished tannins, the freshness and purity of the vintage, terrific balance, and a great finish. It's more than a little impressive, and while it shows the vintage's more elegant, mid-weight style, it brings depth and richness."

Falstaff: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife Zwetschkenfrucht, dunkle Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von Herzkirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, reife Kirschen, zarte Süße, präsente Tannine, mineralisch, zart nach Nougat, aber auch etwas blättrig im Finale."

Wine Cellar Insider: "Deep ruby in color, the wine shows ist cedar, tobacco leaf, mocha, and black currants easily. Fresh and spicy, medium-bodied and energetic, give this just a year or two and it is going to be fun to drink. The wine was made by blending 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, 13% ABV. Drink from 2024-2045."

Wine Advocate: "The 2021 Haut-Batailley is a charming, medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine evocative of cassis, sweet berries, pipe tobacco and pencil shavings. Supple and succulent, with an ample core of fruit and ripe, powdery tannins, it will likely take on additional depth with further élevage. Significant replanting of fallow parcels is underway at this Pauillac estate, but those vines are currently relegated to the second wine, the Verso of Haut-Batailley."

Neal Martin: "The 2021 Haut-Batailley is matured in 70% new oak for a planned 16 months. There is a large gap between this and the Verso, this Grand Vin displaying far more delineation and complexity, furnished with quite disarming estuarine-tinged black fruit. The palate is mediumbodied with a little chewiness on the entry, certainly one of the more saline Pauillac wines that I have encountered, and a structured, classically styled finish. For Bordeaux lovers looking for old-school claret."