Bordeaux 2025: Château Batailley

Another property making the early running is Frédéric Castéja’s excellent 5th Growth, Chateau Batailley. His 2025 is a stunning return to form, a Pauillac with admirable concentration, wonderful, aromatic, mineral infused fruit and excellent tannic structure.

It may be premature, but we think this will represent one of the best value buys from the vintage. This is a top-notch classified growth, with excellent scores, for less than £25 per bottle – as such, it’s a firm J&B favourite! And if you’d like to treble the enjoyment, the chateau is offering Marie-Jeannes (the equivalent of three standard bottles, 2.25L) at £102 per unit or £200 for a brace.

“The 2025 Batailley marries power with finesse. Crème de cassis, new leather, spice, menthol and lavender caress the palate. The 2025 is quite deep and has great balance. This brooding, potent Pauillac has so much to offer. All it needs is time for the tannins to soften. 2035-2065.” 95-97/100 – Antonio Galloni, vinous.com

“A focused and refined red with a linear profile, showing the precision that the acidity and fine-grained tannins bring to this cabernet blend. There is rigor but also underlying juiciness and sophistication. 78% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 3% petit verdot.” 95-96/100 – James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com