In Bond Fine Wine. 2021 Château Haut Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. Fifth Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 94/100 (AG). Drinking window: 2024–2050. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Acquired by the Cazes family of Lynch Bages in 2017, Haut Batailley has seen renewed investment in both vineyard and cellar, with quality climbing impressively in recent years. Stylistically, Haut Batailley combines classic Pauillac cassis and graphite with polished tannins, offering both structure and early appeal. It has often been described as one of the best values in the Medoc, consistently punching above its Fifth Growth status. Haut Batailley is a smart buy and a Pauillac estate firmly on an upward trajectory.
William Kelley (WK) — 90–93/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 29/04/2022
The 2021 Haut-Batailley is a charming, medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine evocative of cassis, sweet berries, pipe tobacco and pencil shavings. Supple and succulent, with an ample core of fruit and ripe, powdery tannins, it will likely take on additional depth with further elevage. Significant replanting of fallow parcels is underway at this Pauillac estate, but those vines are currently relegate…
Antonio Galloni (AG) — 94/100 · Vinous, 27/02/2024 · Drink 2026-2041
The 2021 Haut-Batailley shows an estate in evolution. Aromatic and medium in body, the 2021 is not quite as bombastic as some previous editions, which is a positive. Savory, earthy and expressive, the 2021 also feels a bit closed at this stage. This is a super-classy and refined Pauillac.
Neal Martin (NM) — 92/100 · Vinous, 22/02/2024 · Drink 2027-2050
Bottled at the end of May, the 2021 Haut-Batailley has a well-defined bouquet with briny, seaweed-infused black fruit, certainly demonstrating more concentration and cohesion compared to the Verso at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Fresh and focused, touches of cassis infuse the black fruit with impressive grip, classic in style with a sapid, black olive-tinged finish.…