En Primeur Releases: 21 May 2021

"That essence-of-Pauillac feel..." Batailley 2020

"This is signature Batailley in that it has that essence-of-Pauillac feel. A delicious wine, such a great great drinking claret, really one to look out for in this vintage" Jane Anson, Decanter

An ever-popular Pauillac which truly does justice to the term 'classic' (i.e. it means truly elegant and digestible, not thin and dry) Batailley has been on something of a roll over the past few years. The run from '15 to '19 delivered fantastic quality and whilst 2020 represented challenges for some in Pauillac, Batailley have come up trumps. As with many producers on the Left Bank it was arguably the Merlot that really makes the 2020 Batailley stand out amongst its peers – whilst the small-berried, intense Cabernet gives it all the pure, vibrant blackcurrant character one automatically looks for, the Merlot 'fills in the blanks' and gives a sumptuous generosity to the wine that makes it flow over the palate.

At this price it truly delivers oodles of Pauillac character and no little potential for ageing.

Batailley 2020 tasting notes and prices

94-95pts James Suckling "This is classically structured with a wonderful finish of extremely polished tannins and an ultra long finish. So much blackcurrant, spice and cedar. Seamless. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 26% merlot, the rest cabernet franc and petit verdot."

94pts Jane Anson, Decanter "Takes its time to unroll then shows sweetness to the black cherry and brambled blackberries fruits, followed by cigar, pencil lead and crushed stone. This is signature Batailley in that it has that essence-of-Pauillac feel. A delicious wine, such a great great drinking claret, really one to look out for in this vintage; already looking forward to drinking this in 10 years time. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 60% new oak. A yield of 42hl/ha."

93-95pts Jeff Leve "Deep in color, the wine opens quickly with aromas of tobacco leaf, spicy currants, cedar, flowers, cigar box and blackberries. Full-bodied, round, concentrated and with ripe, polished, creamy tannins, the wine finishes with spicy, red berries, savory herbs and a refreshing spearmint note. Give this at least 8 years in the cellar and enjoy it over the following 2-3 decades."

17/20pts JL, jancisrobinson.com "Dark fruit with cassis notes and a graphite edge. Fine attack, juicy and refreshing but backed by a firmness of structure behind. Solid, subdued and distinctly Pauillac. Still relative value."

GBP 337 per case/12 IB

Other formats are available:

Halves – GBP 357 per case/24 IB

Magnums – GBP 347 per case/6 IB

Double magnums – GBP 427 per case/3 IB

Imperials – GBP 270 each IB

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