Chateau Haut-Batailley Pauillac 2022
Château Haut-Batailley is a Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru Classé) from Pauillac, one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious appellations. It is a classic Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon–dominated wine, known for its combination of blackcurrant fruit, cedar, graphite, firm but polished tannins, and considerable aging potential.
Although it shares the same 1855 classification as its more famous neighbor Château Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley has traditionally been a somewhat quieter, more understated expression of Pauillac. That has been changing since the estate was acquired by the Cazes family in 2017.
The name Batailley is associated with a historic property whose origins reach back several centuries. The original Château Batailley was divided in 1942, creating two separate estates: Château Batailley and Château Haut-Batailley. Both retain Fifth Growth status under the historic 1855 Bordeaux classification.
For many years, Haut-Batailley belonged to the Borie family, whose Bordeaux interests also included Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, another highly respected Pauillac Fifth Growth. In 2017, the Cazes family, owners of Château Lynch-Bages, purchased Haut-Batailley. This was a significant development because the Cazes family brought considerable technical expertise, investment capacity, and international recognition. The estate remains distinct from Lynch-Bages, however. Its vineyards, winemaking, and identity are separate.
Haut-Batailley occupies gravelly terrain in southern Pauillac, near the boundary with Saint-Julien. When the Cazes family acquired the estate, approximately 22 hectares [54 acres] were in production. Beginning in 2018, they replanted another 19 hectares [47 acres] of previously unused vineyard land, bringing the total to approximately 41 hectares (101 acres). The soils consist primarily of deep Garonne gravel, which provides excellent drainage and is particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot and smaller amounts of Petit Verdot are also grown. Exact proportions vary with replanting and vintage.
The estate’s distinctive landmark is the Tour l’Aspic, a stone tower that appears on its labels. Built in 1875 by the pious Demoiselles Averous, the Tour l’Aspic and the Virgin Mary who stands at the summit, facing the Gironde river, both capture the romance of their era.
The story behind its name is a mystery. According to a local legend, the Virgin Mary is crushing an asp underfoot, a symbol of temptation and evil. However, recent restoration work on the tower has revealed that the Virgin Mary is in fact standing over a bed of roses.
Chateau Haut-Batailley Pauillac 2022
Haut-Batailley is a traditionally styled Pauillac, although the wines have become increasingly polished under the Cazes family’s direction.
Cabernet Sauvignon supplies structure, aromatic intensity, and aging potential. Merlot contributes roundness and ripe fruit.
This wine is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. It was aged for 16 months in French oak, 65% new. It pours a nearly-opaque deep ruby to garnet. The fairly subtle nose offers blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry. These continue on the medium-full to full-bodied palate, with recessive dark fruit (it is French, after all), cocoa, graphite, pronounced but refined tannins, fresh acidity, and a distinctly mineral, savory character. The medium-long finish features cassis and graphite. The ABV is 14.5%. Decant for at least two hours to mellow the tannins.
This is a natural wine for roasted and grilled meats, particularly dishes with enough fat and richness to balance its tannins. Consider dry-aged ribeye with a red wine reduction, herb-crusted rack of lamb, Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelles; duck breast with a savory cherry sauce; braised short ribs with rosemary and thyme; aged Comté or mature cheddar.
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