Château Batailley 2016

Château Batailley 2016 : a Pauillac with an elegant finish

Château Batailley is a 5^th Classified Growth of 1855 produced in the Pauillac appellation. The vineyard, which covers an area of 57 hectares, is on average 40 years old and planted on siliceous and gravelly soils. The wine is aged in barrels (60% in new barrels). The Château Batailley 2016 blends 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

Upon tasting, the Château Batailley 2016 reveals a nose with graphite aromas due to the gravelly terroir of the property. After aeration, one can distinguish notes of wild herbs (fresh mint in particular). On the palate, the wine reveals firm and bold tannins, as well as tasty mineral touches (graphite) and black fruits (blackberries) mixed with infused tobacco. On the finish, the Château Batailley 2016 is extremely elegant.

Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2016 Batailley is a blend of 12% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 50h hectoliters per hectare. Matured in 60% new oak. It has an intense graphite infused bouquet with fine delineation, some freshly picked Pauillac mint coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin that grip the mouth insistently; with graphite and tobacco-infused black fruit dominating, this a classically styled Batailley in the vein of previous vintages with the elegance coming through towards the finish. This is one of those wines that grows on you, perhaps not as easy or as charming to taste as other Pauillac 2016s at this stage, but knowing this property well, I know how it can blossom when it matters, which is when you and I drink it.