Description
The ‘Grand vin’ from Chateau Batailley in Pauillac, to the west of nearby Pichon-Baron and Pichon Lalande. The 2021 is a lovely wine, fresh and elegant, not as rich as the following year, with a very classic, midweight Bordeaux style. It’s well-priced for such a good estate, and is drinking well now with another ten years of age (at least) in half bottle.
TASTING NOTE: The 2021 has a beautiful red/purple colour, medium in its intensity. On the nose: it has perfumed black and red fruits, and a gentle hint of toastiness and spice. On the palate: it’s not quite as full or rich as the 2022 nor 2023 vintages; instead it is medium in weight, very classic in style, with elegant, polished tannins, medium body and a refreshing, blackcurrant and herb finish. About 55% of the wine is aged in new French oak barrels, with the remainder in one year old barrels, as expected of a ‘Grand Vin’ ie the best from the estate. Nuanced, elegant and fresh, it’s a lovely wine that tastes good and looks good on the table too!
FOOD PAIRING, STORING AND SERVICE: The Chateau suggest pairing the wine with red meats such as steak, and a tender entrecote (rib-eye) particularly. Other suggestions include roast lamb, game dishes or a good cheese board. It’s drinking well now in its youth, but in half bottle has at least another 10 years of cellaring potential. Decant for thirty minutes to an hour prior to serving.
ABOUT: Chateau Batailley is one of the best estates in Bordeaux, and is classified as a Grand Cru Classé Pauillac in the longstanding ‘1855’ classification (as a ‘fifth-growth’). Since 1924, it’s been owned by the Castéja family; the name ‘Batailley’ refers to the last battle (in French ‘bataille’) of the Hundred Year’s war (1337-1453) between the French and English, in the same Medoc area, on the gravelly soils of the left bank of Bordeaux. The vineyards were actually split into two properties in 1942 to prevent future inheritance difficulties, resulting in Chateau Batailley and Chateau Haut-Batailley. These days, Chateau Batailley’s estate has 60 hectares of vines, and a renewed focus on making quality wines in smaller quantities than in the past. As is typical of this part of Bordeaux, most of the vineyard is planted with the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety (about 70%), along with 25% Merlot, a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. About 55% of the wine is aged in new French oak barrels, with the remainder in one year old barrels, as expected of a ‘Grand Vin’ ie the best from the estate. It’s very well-priced for a Grand Cru Classe and is consistently good, whatever the vintage!
