2024 Batailley
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Tasting Notes
Batailley remains a stalwart of the Left Bank. The property’s team were one of the first to start harvesting Merlot, on just 2nd September – taking over a month to bring all their fruit in, painstakingly picking a handful of rows at a time. The result is a vibrant, lighter-bodied Bordeaux – one that captures the vibrancy of this cooler vintage. The nose offers sweet, seamless fruit, with an appealing blackcurrant leaf and graphite note. There’s real juiciness to the palate, lively and energetic with the bite of crunchy red fruit. Gravelly tannins frame the fruit, with the bright acidity driving the mouth-watering finish. The 2024 vintage marks 100 years of ownership by the Borie-Castéja family and the wine therefore bears a commemorative red label. The wine is around 13.5% alcohol and aged in 57% new oak. Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Decanter
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Fragrant, floral, precise, with graphite and crayon character that is immediately apparant on the nose. Very much captures the appellation and estate signature, with real classicism and balance, depth through the mid palate and slim, savoury blue and black fruits. Well constructed, and no question that this can age - easy to project forward to think that in a decade this will be in full Batailley swing. 57% new oak for ageing, Casteja family estate.
The 2024 Batailley was picked from September 2—considerably earlier than other estates—until October 5. This was raised in 57% new oak barrels. It has an open-knit bouquet with blackberry, briar, mocha and graphite scents that emerge with time. This is finely delineated while keeping the typical Batailley style. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine tannins and touches of pencil lead and black pepper leading to the cohesive, lightly grippy finish. The nicely composed 2024 should give 20 years of drinking pleasure.
About the producer
It was on the site of Batailley in 1453 that one of the final battles (or “batailles”) of the Hundred Years’ War took place. Today owned by the Castéja family, the Fifth Growth is renowned for producing wine that is the epitome of classic Claret.