Château Haut-Batailley - Pauillac 2017

Château Haut-Batailley is a Fifth Growth located in Pauillac.  In 2017, Château Haut-Batailley was acquired by the legendary Cazes family, owners of the ubiquitous and second-to-none estate, Château Lynch Bages. Before Château Haut-Batailley was acquired by the Cazes family it was skillfully managed by Francois Borie of the Borie family, famous owners of the “Super Second,” jewel of Saint Julien, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou.  Quality has been steadily on the rise since the mid 2000s and scores typically hover in the low 90s.  Yet despite the accolades, pricing for this Pauillac gem remains some of the most affordable within the expensively priced Pauillac appellation.  For wine connoisseurs who search for excellent producers that overdeliver in terms of value, look no further than Château Haut-Batailley. 
 
It would be impossible to discuss the history of this estate without touching on the story of the mother domain, Château Batailley.  Château Batailley was one of the older properties in the Médoc and a working winery in the 1400s.  The potential of the heavily graveled, sandy soil over clay terroir was readily apparent to the early vignerons during the Middle Ages. It received its name from a legendary battle during the Hundred Year’s War that took place upon the grounds, when the French managed to reclaim one of the neighboring estates, the famous First Growth Château Latour.  Château Batailley was aptly named after the battle that took place there and functioned as a working winery for centuries until eventually being ranked as a Fifth Growth property during the 1855 Classification.  It wasn’t until the 20th Century when Francois Xavier Borie, the owner of the famous Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, acquired the estate and portioned off a smaller section of Château Batailley, thus creating Château Haut-Batailley. 

66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot. Fermented in stainless steel, aged 18 months in barrique (60% new). 

"Lovely perfumes and currants with graphite and light herbs. Medium to full body. Creamy tannins. Soft and elegant and creamy at the end. Finesse. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon and 34% merlot. Drink in 2022." - 93 Points, James Suckling

"The 2017 Chateau Haut-Batailley checks in as 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot, aged in 60% new barrels. This smoking wine has loads of blackcurrant, black cherry, unsmoked tobacco, new leather, and spice-driven aromas, with just a hint of chocolatey oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with beautiful elegance, it shows the classic style of the vintage and will evolve for 20-25 years." - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Château Haut-Batailley

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Appellation: Pauillac

Vintage: 2017

Size: 750ml