A brilliant success, the fully mature 2003 Batailley exhibits a dense plum/garnet color in addition to a sweet perfume of creme de cassis, licorice, forest floor and spice. Round, generous and medium to full-bodied with good acidity and well-integrated, melted tannins, this 2003 can be enjoyed now and over the next 10+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #214, Aug 2014)

Aromas of blackberry and currant with hints of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a medium finish.

Tasted at the Chateau Batailley dinner at The Square. The 2003 Batailley has a ripe nose with blackberries, espresso, roasted herbs, and just a faint tang of “Marmite”. The palate has a tannic entry, certainly fresher than many 2003 Left Banks that I have encountered. It has grainy tannins, just a little hardness towards the finish although that should soften with time. Just a little stunted on the finish, but otherwise this is a respectable wine for the vintage, if not showing quite the potential of a couple of years ago. Drink 2011-2019. Tasted January 2010.89

(a roughly 75/25 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, but also includes bits of cabernet franc and petit verdot) Bright ruby-red. Pure aromas of cassis, blueberry, kirsch, violet, licorice, menthol and graphite. Juicy and penetrating, with dark berry, mineral and graphite flavors. Lovely ripe acidity gives this well-stuffed wine excellent clarity and grip. Finishes with sneaky length, the firm but ripe tannins spreading out to coat the palate. Offers unusually strong potential for this wine.

Dusty nose that suggests a shortage of fruit. Very soft and formless indeed. Losing fruit. (JR)