Château Batailley, 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2016
Traditionally, this Casteja owned fifth growth always offered plenty of rustic charm and value for money. With the arrival of a second wine, Lions de Batailley, there seems to be more endeavour to make 'impressive' wines. The new style is certainly more serious, but in striving for more concentration and purity, Batailley may have lost some of its early charm. Dark and mineral with some florality and freshly cut herbs the style certainly relies less on oak, and is purer and sexier than Batailleys of the past, with cool cassis and plum fruit and a commanding tannic structure. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.
critic reviews
The 2016 Batailley is deep garnet colored. It rolls up with gregarious blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and cedar chest scents, plus touches of violets, dark chocolate, and graphite. The light to medium-bodied palate is bright, breezy, and refreshing, delivery crunchy, youthful fruit and a firm grainy frame, finishing on a lingering mineral note.
The 2016 Batailley has an attractive, meaty bouquet with more red fruit than black, unlike many of its peers. With aeration it appears to gain more floral notes and lift. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, linear and focused, offering pencil lead, cedar and light spicy notes toward the conservative, controlled finish. A mocha-tinged aftertaste emanates from the oak. Good potential, but it needs time. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.