Chateau Haut Batailley AC Pauillac 2019

JD 95 / JS 95 / WA 95 / VM 94 / WS 93 pts

JD: Slightly darker fruited and denser than the more ethereally styled 2018, the 2019 Château Haut-Batailley offers up a gorgeous array of red and black currants, black raspberries, tobacco, and flowers, with more classic lead pencil and tobacco notes emerging with time in the glass. Balanced, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated, it has ripe, supple tannins, terrific mid-palate density, and a great finish. The quality continues to soar at this estate under the helm of the Cazes family and this is a gem of a Pauillac well worth seeking out.

JS: Outer quote mark This is linear and tight with blue fruit and fine tannins. Some graphite and lead pencil, too. Medium to full body with very Pauillac sensibility. Delicate, yet structured. Restrained. Needs time to open.

WA: Displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2019 Haut-Batailley opens with fragrant notes of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves and redcurrant jelly, leading to suggestions of fragrant soil, dried mint, woodsmoke and Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers impactful, vibrant black fruit flavors with a racy line of freshness and finely grained tannins to support, finishing long with lots of savory and mineral sparks.

VM: Outer quote mark The 2019 Haut-Batailley, matured in 60% new oak for 14 months, has a tensile, well-defined bouquet, linear and focused (much more so than last year from barrel), featuring blackberry, briar, that same tincture of blood orange and a hint of cedar. The palate is silky-smooth on the entry and very cohesive and harmonious.

WS : Outer quote mark Offers red and black currant, plum and blackberry preserve flavors that are both lush and brambly in feel, a contrast that plays out on a finish in which a bolt of cast iron and a twinge of warm earth check in. Features a lovely savory/cedar echo at the very end, giving it a slight throwback feel.