2012 Haut Batailley
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Haut-Batailley has a perfumed and floral bouquet, showing much more Pauillac typicity than Duhart-Milon, quite fresh and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fine acidity, good grip and quite ferrous. Perhaps there is a touch of austerity on the finish, but it is drinking well now. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. A bit inscrutable on the nose. But lots of concentration and ambition. Rich fruit with polished tannins. Though not that long? Perhaps slightly too evolved for greatness? (JR)
Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. The 2012 Haut Batailley has a superior bouquet to the 2011, with more complexity and mineralité, crushed stone intermingling with copious black fruit all with exquisite delineation and focus. There is a strictness here, perhaps borrowed from its half-brother, Grand Puy-Lacoste. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition and focus. There is still some oak to be absorbed but there is plenty of substance on the stylish, sweet finish that is very seductive. This is an excellent wine from François-Xavier Borie, dare I say up there with the 2009 and 2010. It comes highly recommended. Tasted July 2016.
Tasted blind. Relatively generously fruited on the mid palate. Well made with some frankness. And follow-through. (JR)
About the producer
The Cazes family – owners of Lynch-Bages and Ormes de Pez – purchased Haut-Batailley in 2017. They’ve embarked on a significant replanting programme, and exciting things are likely to come from this address with its new backing.