2010 Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux

The 2010 Ch. Haut Batailley is a ripe wine, with a lovely beam of cassis and blackberry well-harnessed by seamless acidity. The rounded, enticing finish has a dash of toasty vanilla that's well-embedded.

This is firm and structured with blueberry and hazelnut character. Full body, with fine tannins and a juicy finish. So long and pretty. Wonderful texture. 

Better after 2017

Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. 

The 2010 Haut Batailley is beginning to reach the potential I enthused about when I first tasted this from barrel. Much like the 2009 Haut-Batailley, it has a very expressive bouquet that needs a lot of coaxing from the glass. And like many 2010s it is a broody bugger, stubborn and obdurate but when you get to the palate...this is where the action is! This is where the quality positively shines through with very fine tannin: extremely pure fruit, a judicious touch of spice and a long and tender finish that is seamless. It needs 8-10 years for those aromatics to open but judging by the quality of the palate, it will be worth the wait.

Drink 2022 - 2040

Wonderful spice fragrance; tender, chewy black fruit and a bitter chocolate character. Dry, rounded, firm and balanced. Very satisfying.

Drink 2016 - 2031

Sexy creme de cassis notes along with a big kiss of cedar wood, spice box and liquorice are all present in this dense, ruby/purple-coloured wine, which is lush and silky smooth, with opulence and early appeal. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years. Owned by Xavier Borie, the proprietor of the better-known Grand Puy Lacoste, this 2010 is a beauty and one of the strongest efforts he’s produced over recent years.

Wonderfully elegant expression of Pauillac Cabernet, just pure, refined fruit reserved for the future. This is all sophisticated elegance for a great future.

Drink 2017 - 2040