Chateau Batailley 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of blackberry, cocoa, oyster shell, graphite and black tea. Lead pencil, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Structured and intense. Tight and precise. Needs a few years to soften and open. Try from 2025."

WEINWISSER: "Purpur mit rubinroten Reflexen. Verführerisches Parfüm nach Heidelbeeren, dunklen Kirschen und edler Cassiswürze. Im zweiten Ansatz helle Tabaknoten und Schokopastillen. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit gut stützendem reifem Tanningerüst, fein spröder Textur und reifer Extraktfülle. Im gebündelten mittleren Finale mit einem Korb blauer Beeren und zarter Adstringenz. Top- Wert aus Pauillac!"

DECANTER: "This is intense and concentrated with beautifully smoked grilled oak notes, clear, precise cassis, blackberry, liquorice and black chocolate and a slow, slate finish. Great-quality, welcoming and full of character. 60% new oak. A yield of 52hl/ha. Tasted twice. Drinking Window 2026 - 2044"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Chewy, crisp, fresh and lively in character, the wine is packed with herbs, tobacco leaf, dark currants, espresso and cedar. More savory than sweet, with a noticeable, classic crunchy character on the palate, the finish really lingers. Nearly forward in style, this is a charming Pauillac that will age for at least 2-3 decades with little effort."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This estate at the western edge of Pauillac is beginning to show its potential. Powerful and dense, this wine offers concentrated black fruits and tannins that are solid and dry. The wine has a firm character, full bodied and with a long-term future. Drink from 2026."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Batailley is deep garnet-purple in color and offers up bright Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant notes over a cassis and plum preserves core with a waft of dried mint. Full-bodied with a good core of juicy fruit, it has approachable, ripe tannins and a lively lift to the finish."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Youthfully compact, with the core of black currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors still coiled up. There's a sturdy backdrop of singed alder, warm earth and smoldering cast iron that give it an old school touch. Structure is ripe and energetic too. Really well built. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zarte Edelholznote, dunkle Waldbeeren, Nuancen von Cassis und Brombeeren, mineralisch, feine Zedernnote. Saftig, mittlere Komplexität, rotbeerige Frucht, gute Frische, integrierte Tannine, zart blättrig im Nachhall, ein würziger Speisenbegleiter. (2020–2035)"