2005 CH BATAILLEY 5ÈME CRU PAUILLAC - 12x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, April 2006,
  Score: 91-93

  This is well made Pauillac which provides pleasure at a relatively affordable price. Notably rich and ripe, the 2005 has flavours of dark bramble fruit, liquorice and spice with underlying toasty oak. Full-bodied but finely tuned. Drink 2012-2020

• 

  Robert Parker, April 2008,
  Score: 91

  Renowned Bordeaux oenologist, Denis Dubourdiu, oversees the winemaking at all of the properties owned by Philippe Casteja, which includes Batailley. Their 2005, one of the finest efforts this estate has yet produced, is backward, tannic, and almost primordial in style. Built for the long-term, it offers plenty of sweet creme de cassis fruit intermixed with smoke, cedar, and earth notes. Full-bodied and powerful, it is an old style Pauillac with well-integrated acidity as well as sweet but elevated tannins. Give it 7-8 years of bottle age, and drink it between 2015-2035.

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  Robert Parker, April 2007,
  Score: 90-93

  One of the finest examples I have ever tasted of Batailley (which is difficult to evaluate young as it is made in such a tannic, primordial style), the 2005 reveals both charm and power. It possesses a deep ruby/purple hue along with powerful creme de cassis notes intermixed with cedar, incense, and spicy oak. Fleshy and full-bodied with abundant power as well as sweet tannin, and present but unobtrusive acidity, this beauty will benefit from 5-6 years of bottle age, and should keep for 25+. Drink 2012-2032.

• 

  Robert Parker, April 2006,
  Score: 90-92

  Always a serious vin de garde that requires considerable patience, Batailley's 2005 may be their finest effort in the last forty years. An inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of black currants, flowers, licorice, and spice box. With huge tannin, medium to full body, impressive concentration, and good depth, it will be drinkable between 2013-2030.

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2006,
  Score: 15

  Dull crimson. Slightly feral raw animal fruitiness. Lots of sweetness and not much structure. Asleep at the wheel? Loose textured on the mid palate though there are some fine dry tannins on the finish. Drink 2014-20.

• 

  Wine Spectator, April 2006,
  Score: 89-91

  Lots of currant and smoky character follows through to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Nicely done.

• 

  Robert Parker, June 2015,
  Score: 89+

  The 2005 Batailley is a rich, blackcurrant-dominated wine with good, cedary, earthy, forest floor notes, medium body, moderate tannin, and a dense ruby/purple color. It was somewhat closed when I tasted it, but it certainly has promise, and could easily merit an outstanding score with another five years of bottle age. It should drink well for 20 or more years. Drink: 2020-2040

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Producer

Château Batailley

Known historically as one of the "forgotten" châteaux of the Médoc, Château Batailley is also one with great potential. Owned by the Castéja family, Batailley has been managed by Borie-Manoux, a leading Bordelais négociant, since the 1960s. For many years it was not traded amongst traditional Bordeaux circles which contributed to its lesser known stature. This has changed only over the past couple of years. For some time now, Château Batailley has represented one of the best values in Bordeaux. Traditional and stylish, it often embodies the quintessential Pauillac spirit offering distinguished aromas of cedar box, and cassis enveloped in a finely structured yet fresh palate.