Bordeaux 2022: Chateau Batailley

Batailley 2022 carries a special label to commemorate the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This Pauillac has an affinity with the Royal Household, being served at many notable occasions, including the extraordinary 1947 vintage at the silver wedding anniversary.

The 2022 is a fitting tribute – a magnificent, classical expression, rippling with dark berries and spices. It could turn out to be a modern-day adaptation of the `47. Frédéric Castéja sums up the vintage as “exceptional climate, record temperatures, drought, low juice content in the berries, very deep colour, strong taste intensity and superb concentration of aromas.”

As always, Batailley represents a shrewd purchase. After dropping their price considerably for the 2019 vintage, today’s release remains below those of pre-pandemic levels, and as such, this will probably be one of the best value wines of the entire campaign. Clients who appreciate classical, beautifully proportioned Pauillac will be delighted by this exceptional 2022 edition.

“The 2022 Batailley is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes galloping out with energetic notes of crushed blackcurrants, Morello cherries, and fresh, juicy blackberries, plus hints of tar, licorice, lavender, and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate delivers taut, muscular black fruits with loads of spicy sparks and a firm texture of ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral-laced. pH 3.7. 94/96+/100” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent

“You can't ignore the construction of the tannins here, but there is a plenty of juice in between and this is a gorgeous Batailley. On brand Pauillac, as it so often is, delivering slate, liquorice, energy, cassis, blackberry, orange peel, cardamom, black pepper, graphite, grip. Classic balance also, you don't feel you are in an extreme vintage here. Two thirds of the production is in the first wine of Batailley in this vintage. 55% new oak. A label in honour of Queen Elizabeth II also... 96/100” – Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com