2020 Haut Batailley
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Haut-Batailley has a seductive and opulent bouquet with precocious black fruit, though it doesn't quite boast the complexity of the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with an edgy opening, lightly spiced with a grippy, tarry finish. Give this another couple of years in bottle.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Pure, lightly spiced dark fruit. Powerfully built on the palate for the long term but the harmony is there for it to age well. Chewy, complete. For the moment at least, bit abrupt on the finish, tied up in the tannins. (JH)
The 2020 Haut-Batailley is another Pauillac that appears to be blossoming in bottle. It has a very complex bouquet with pencil-box-infused black fruit that unfurls gracefully in the glass. Quintessential Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, real depth and concentration and plenty of cassis toward the precocious yet controlled finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Great balance and depth, beautiful character of cassis, crayon, cruhed rock, slate and ink with juicy bleuberry underneath, great quality wine with real Pauillac character, brushed with a softer edge. Julien Galland technical director as of this vintage. 60% new oak. Harvest September 14 to 29, with fruit from 22ha of vines.
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.