Chateau Haut Batailley 2017

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2017 Chateau Haut-Batailley checks in as 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot, aged in 60% new barrels. This smoking wine has loads of blackcurrant, black cherry, unsmoked tobacco, new leather, and spice-driven aromas, with just a hint of chocolatey oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with beautiful elegance, it shows the classic style of the vintage and will evolve for 20-25 years."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Lovely perfumes and currants with graphite and light herbs. Medium to full body. Creamy tannins. Soft and elegant and creamy at the end. Finesse. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon and 34% merlot. Drink in 2022."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a good depth of color, the wine shows a nice purity of juicy cassis while a leafy olive and pepper component keeps you interested throughout this full bodied, crunchy and classic experience. The tannins are a bit uncompromising right now but give the wine time, and it will prove to be worth the wait. This is the debut vintage from the new owners, the Cazes family. The bottle was also sport a new, updated label design."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Haut Batailley sings of baked blackberries, black cherry compote and warm cassis with hints of fungi and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with black fruit flavors and loads of earthy accents, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing savory."

DECANTER: "A little closed on the nose still, but there is excellent quality damson and cassis fruit hidden in there. Grilled caramel notes, subdued for now alongside black chocolate and liquorice which are knitted together. The vintage comes through in a slightly soft finish, but this has charm, confidence and poise."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The Haut-Batailley 2017 is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot and has a deep garnet color. It sashays out of the glass with alluring notions of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly, and blackberry preserves, followed by suggestions of underbrush, dusty soil, and Indian spices. Medium-bodied, the juicy red and black fruit palate is light on its feet, featuring refreshing acidity with soft tannins, finishing earthy."

WINE SPECTATOR: "The bitter plum, dark cherry and red currant fruit flavors are well-melded, carried by a racy iron streak through a finish gilded with floral and sanguine notes. Fresh and defined from start to finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2038."

WEINWISSER: "Purpurgranat. Verführerisches Bouquet nach reifen Schattenmorellen und Brombeergelee, dahinter dunkles Edelholz, dominikanischer Tabak und Eisenkraut. Am festen Gaumen mit feinspröder Textur, leicht aufrauend, feinkernige Noten und muskulöser Körper – zeigt deutlich die Handschrift des neuen Besitzers. Im gebündelten, mittleren Finale mit blaubeerigen Konturen, Pinienharz, Wacholder und schwarzen Oliven."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Blueberry and blackberry on the nose. Powerful, rich palate where fruit and structure come crashing together. Chewy, savoury and complex, this is a very impressive example that lingers with incense and blackcurrant together. Patience required."