A super refined and pretty wine with blueberry and raspberry. Full-to-medium body, with integrated tannins and a long finish. Subtle and balanced for the vintage.

Tasted en primeur at the château. The Haut-Batailley 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot picked between 3rd and 16th October at 38hl/ha. It has an understated bouquet – a graphite seam interwoven through delicate black, slightly earthy fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant entry. There is crisp acidity here, a citric freshness that informs the classic, graphite-tinged finish that achieves fine symmetry. This should be approachable, but should likewise mature well over 15-20 years. Tasted April 2013.

A taut, herb-tinged style, with savory and rosemary wafting through the plum and red currant fruit. Lean but lengthy, this delivers an iron twinge. —J.M.

[71CS/29M] Very minerally, very Cabernet, very Pauillac to smell; fresh, supple, moderately concentrated with a very gentle tannin; ripe and succulent in flavour, a light complexity, easy, flowing, gently juicy, graceful lesser Pauillac with good, light length. Most attractive. 2016-25 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2013]

A bit overshadowed by Grand Puy Lacoste, this is still a decent effort for the vintage. Some ripe fruit and freshness but lacks a little of the charm and freshness of its big brother.