2004 Château Haut-Batailley
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Tasting notes
Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. The 2004 Haut Batailley was very closed on the nose and I actually prefer the 2003 in terms of personality. It reluctantly offers tarry black fruit, smoke and tobacco but it feels quite pinched. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, nicely balanced and though not a complex Pauillac, there is a slightly meatiness on the finish as its moves into secondary flavors that partly compensates for the meanness of the aromatics. Perhaps another couple of years in bottle might help. That said, instincts tell me that the best years might already be behind it. Tasted July 2016.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Scented and quite concentrated. Lively and racy with good fruit ripeness. (JR)
Bright ruby-red. Red berry syrup aromas complicated by fresh herbs and pungent pine and eucalyptus. Dense, fat and sweet but with a distinctly raw piney nuance running through the wine. Very dominated by its cabernet. Finishes with substantial tongue-dusting tannins that turn a bit dry with aeration. An awkward showing.
About the producer
The Cazes family – owners of Lynch-Bages and Ormes de Pez – purchased Haut-Batailley in 2017. They’ve embarked on a significant replanting programme, and exciting things are likely to come from this address with its new backing.