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Fine Wine: Chateau Batailley Vertical 1982-2005

Monday 30 September 2013

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Château Batailley is classified as a 5ème Cru Classé and is one of the best value wines in Pauillac. The name Batailley boasts a long and proud history. The vineyard sits on a plateau to the west of Mouton Rothschild and is planted in the classic Pauillac wine appellation proportions with Cabernet Sauvignon the dominant varietal. The name is said to derive from a "bataille" fought 600 years ago between the French and the English on the same spot as the present property. Château Batailley is owned by Denise and Emile Castèja of the famous negociants, Borie-Manoux and it is their son Philippe who now runs the business. The 55 hectares of vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 3%, Petit Verdot 2%) undulate on a deep gravel bed, underpinned by a clay & limestone subsoil.

For years Batailley enjoyed a reputation as a solid, reliable , well-priced Pauillac, well –liked by the British, but rarely achieving the heights of finesse and complexity of some of the other Pauillac classed Growths. Over the last 15 years or so, however, there appears to have been a subtle change and there is much greater emphasis on the quality of the fruit. The result has been wines of decidedly more finesse, but still true to their Pauillac roots.

Vintages on Tasting (9):

1982 – 87 RP, 90.5 CT
1990 – 86 RP, 89.5 CT
1996 – 17 JR, 87 RP, 89.6 CT
1998 – 17.5 JR, 87 RP, 90.4 CT
1999 – 16.5 JR, 89.3 CT
2000 – 86 RP, 88.6 CT
2001 – 87 RP, 15.5 JR, 87 RP, 88.6 CT
2003 – 17 JR, 88 RP, 88.5 CT
2005 – 17 JR, 91 RP 90 CT
RP – Robert Parker, JR – Jancis Robinson, CT – Cellar Tracker Average

Robert Parker on the 2005 – 91/100: "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. (Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 176

Event details

Date
Monday 30 September 2013
Time
19:00 to 21:00
Type
Masterclass
Cost
£55
Booking required
Yes
Website
Venue details
Fulham Wine Cellars London London