Tasting notes
Antonio Galloni · Vinous · 96
The 2023 Haut-Batailley is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. Dark and quite imposing, the 2023 offers up an exotic mélange of blackberry jam, gravel, incense, licorice, dried herbs and scorched earth. Even with all of its considerable textural intensity, Haut-Batailley shows a measure of brightness, especially in its aromatics.
Jeb Dunnuck · Jeb Dunnuck · 95
Smoky black fruits, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and graphite all emerge from the 2023 Château Haut-Batailley, a gorgeous Pauillac in the vintage. Based on 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot and aged 16 months in 65% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and beautiful polish and elegance. It shines even today yet will have three decades of longevity. Drink 2026-2055.
Jane Anson · Decanter · 94
Delivering elegance and finesse, this showcases why Haut-Batailley is so different in personality from Lynch Bages in this stable of wines, with a fragrant violet and peony note that takes it almost into St Julien, while slowly building the tannins that root it in Pauillac. Smoke, campfire and slate mix with blackberry and bilberry fruits. 65% new oak for ageing.
Georgie Hindle · Decanter · 94
Fragrant raspberries and blackcurrants on the nose with floral touches, too. Vivid purple in the glass. Some herbal notes include liquorice and menthol/eucalyptus. It is nicely structured, with good bounce and flesh, but cool and sleek. I like the weight, enough tannins, and well integrated, but it gives structure and power. It’s not heavy and really has a clear vein of freshness that is so appealing. Lots of cool blueberry, mint, graphite and liquorice on the finish. It's almost chewy but clean and direct. Finessed but with power and depth. Really very good.
Drink 2027 - 2038
James Suckling · James Suckling · 94-95
This shows structure and focus, with creamy, powdery tannins and a very pretty, silky texture. Medium to full body with a solid line of tannins running through the wine. Blackberries and currants with a hint of crushed stone. Better than 2022?
Yohan Castaing · Wine Advocate · 93
Offering aromas of toast, oak, spices and cigar wrapper, the 2023 Haut-Batailley is medium- to full-bodied, with a dense, compact palate built around firm, chewy tannins that assert themselves on a long, spicy finish. Rather muscular and extracted in profile, it is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, matured in 65% new oak.
Neal Martin · Vinous · 93
The 2023 Haut Batailley has a very harmonious and cohesive bouquet with bright blackberry, cedar and graphite scents. The oak is beautifully integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, quite structured and sapid, leading to a more mellow finish that is not too grippy. Give this two or three years, but there is the substance here to reward cellaring.
William Kelley · Wine Advocate · 91-93
The 2023 Haut-Batailley is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot that increasingly resembles its stablemate Lynch Bages in style. Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with plenty of generously extracted, youthfully chewy tannin and a long, lusty finish.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW · Wine Advocate · 89-91
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Haut-Batailley comes tearing out with eager-to-please scents of blackberry pie and warm cassis followed by suggestions of lavender, tree bark, and black olives. The medium-bodied palate is soft and approachable, with plenty of freshness and a chalkiness to the finish. The blend is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.69 and TPI 87.
