Chateau Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 2010

Tasted at the Batailley vertical tasting the château, the 2010 Batailley may well have been the best wine in a tasting that encompassed three centuries of winemaking at the estate. The nose offers outstanding delineation and mineralité. It positively fizzes in the glass with all that coiled-up energy, ladling out vivid blackberry and cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, but it is the detail and precision that achieves a level that makes the 2010 a benchmark for the Pauillac estate. It sashays towards a tensile, tar and graphite-tinged finish that lingers in the mouth. This is destined for long-term aging insofar that its quality will not be widely appreciated for many years.

Well-integrated 55% new oak and a great vintage from this 60ha estate, reflecting the precision in vineyard selection and winemaking that has only improved as second and third wines have been introduced. Fresh and refined, evoking subtle power, yet with a smooth texture, like satin. Sensual cassis, kirsch and forest strawberry jam aromatics. Try with roast quail in rosemary and thyme.

Drink 2021 - 2050 

The 2010 Batailley is deep, slightly smoky cassis fruit and a touch of violets, full rather meaty flavours, both roundness and depth from this very reliable château.

Drink 2017 - 2035

Made in a more charming style than the normally backward, rather formidably tannic wines of Batailley, this 2010 is an endearing, elegant wine, but it has no shortage of power, richness and intensity. It displays loads of beautiful cassis, cedar and Christmas fruitcake notes along with impressive purity, texture and a full-bodied mouthfeel. Usually much more austere, this vintage seems to have produced a richer, more layered and opulent style of Batailley that can be approached in 3-5 years and consumed over the following 25 years.
Elegant crushed rock, red and black currant, spice box and earth notes result in a classic Pauillac to smell and taste. Dark ruby/purple-colored, slightly austere because of the robust tannins, beautifully pure and built for the long haul, patience of 5-7 years will be required and this 2010 should keep for 25+ years.