The 2019 Verso de Haut-Batailley, which I did not taste last year, has a perfumed bouquet of mint-tinged black fruit and a touch of graphite in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pencil lead notes on the entry. This Deuxième Vin is endowed with splendid concentration. Classic in style, with just a touch of black pepper toward the finish. Well worth seeking out.

The 2019 Verso de Haut-Batailley is a charming, easygoing second wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Bright red cherry fruit, plum, lavender, spice and tobacco open nicely with some coaxing.

The first vintage for this wine was 2017. Tasted blind. Light, bright red. Slightly sweaty nose. The fruit is just a little tired and there may be a bit of press wine in here. Not a happy, integrated mixture. Hot end. (JR)