Chateau Batailley 2005

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur, bläuliche Reflexe. Pflaumiges Bouquet, ausladend, ein Hauch Dörrfrüchte, Zedern- und Palisandernoten. Im Gaumen elegant, süffig, viel Souplesse in den samtigen Gerbstoffen, im Nachklang dann doch noch verlangende Reserven zeigend. Ein Pauillac-Spass für gut 15 Jahre nach der ersten Reife, genial wie der 1990er."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Batailley vertical tasting at the château, the 2005 Batailley continues to be an excellent Pauillac that I suspect is overshadowed by some of its more illustrious and, let's not forget, more expensive neighbors. Here, it has an effervescent bouquet with vibrant red berry fruit and superb mineralité. This is extremely well focused, with hints of rose petal emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with finer tannin than in previous years. I feel there is still some oak to be fully absorbed, so don't be afraid to cellar this 2005 for another four or five years; but, even at this early stage, you can appreciate its precision on the graphite-infused finish. The 2005 Batailley is where the estate began its upward swing that is continuing to this day. Tasted April 2016."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Classic Pauillac, with tannin, structure. freshness, crisp fruit, firm elegance and a blast of cassis, cedar and tobacco. Still young, and seems to be holding some of its cards in reserve. Clearly, this has improved over the past decade and will definitely be more interesting to drink with another 5 years of bottle age."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very muscular and powerful with lots of tannins now, but it will come around. Full body and dense. Leave this alone for three or four years."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Generous and ripely fruity on the nose. Dusty and slightly dry on the end. I could do with just a little more zesty fruit on the palate. But it’s solid."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Has licorice, currant and fresh cèpe on the nose. Full and silky, with lots of sweet tobacco and berry character and plenty of ripe Cabernet fruit. Long and caressing. Best after 2012. 20,000 cases made."