Château Batailley, 2005

Description

Château Batailley, a 5th Cru of the classification of 1855, is Borie-Manoux’s and the Castéja-family’s flagship. The name is derived from the battle ("bataille“) that took place where the chateau and vineyard are today during the 100-years war around 1453. In this battle, the French re-conquered the neighbouring Chateau Latour from the English, a crucial point for ending the 300 year long reign of the English in Aquitaine. In the 16th century, the first vines were planted on these historical and blood soaked grounds.

Chateau Batailley’s 5ha-park was designed by BarilletDeschamps, Napoleon III’s park architect, in 1850. In 1855 Napoleon III created the classification for the Grands Crus Classés of the Medoc. And Batailley was knighted Grand Cru Classé.

Tasting Notes

Grape Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

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

Serving Suggestions

It goes ideally well with pork, chicken, roast and game meat, grilled or roasted and medium mature cheeses

Ratings

Robert Parker 94