CHÂTEAU HAUT BATAILLEY 2015

 

ABOUT THE WINE

Appellation | Pauillac

Classification | 5th Growth AOC of Pauillac

Grape | 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot

Ageing | The production at Chateau Haut Batailley is traditional. After destemming, the alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, 153 hectoliter vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank. Chateau Haut Batailley is then aged for up to 20 months in 40% new, French oak barrels before bottling

Tasting Notes | "On the nose, blackberry, boysenberry, tobacco and cedar aromas. It gathers momentum in the glass and develops a subtle mint accent. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and very well balanced with just a slight tinniness that will disappear by the time in bottle. With very good substance and impressive length, this is a classic Pauillac" Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Pairing | Beef, wild duck, truffle omelette, roasted lamb

Drinking | 2022-2053

Critic notes/awards | Wine Advocate 92-94/100, James Suckling 94/100, Jancis Robinson 17/20 

  

 

ABOUT THE CHÂTEAU

Chateau Haut Batailley has been a family affair for most the 20th century. However, the actual vineyard of Chateau Haut Batailley is not all that old. In fact, it was created in 1942 when Chateau Batailley was divided into two separate properties for the two Borie brothers. Francois Borie kept the smaller part of the Medoc vineyard which became Haut Batailley. Chateau Batailley went to his brother, Marcel Borie. François Borie was able to enlarge the size of the Haut Batailley vineyards, due to the purchase of an additional 15 hectares of vines from Chateau Duhart-Milon in 1951.
In 1953, after Francois Borie passed away, his daughter Françoise de Brest-Borie inherited Haut Batailley. She asked her brother Jean-Eugene Borie to manage the estate for the family. Following in his father’s footsteps, his son François-Xavier Borie took charge.
Along with the help of his daughter, the charming and attractive Emeline Borie, they continued managing the property for years. In 2006, Francois Xavier Borie began a renovation and modernization of the wine-making facilities and cellars.
This allowed Chateau Haut Batailley to begin doing parcel by parcel vinification. This was a huge change for the estate. To understand how important this renovation was, you have to keep in mind that there is no actual chateau at the vineyard.
Until the 1970’s, the wines were made at another Borie family-owned estate, Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou in St. Julien. Once the wines were vinified, they were moved to Haut Batailley for barrel aging.
Chateau Batailley was ably managed by the Francois Xavier Borie Family who also own Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste until 2017. Things changed at the property in 2017 when the Cazes family, of neighboring Chateau Lynch Bages purchased the vineyard from Françoise Des Brest.
The sale caused some issues as François Xavier Borie, who had just finished making the 2016, was also interested in purchasing the vineyard. Jean Charles Cazes took control of the estate in 2017. While he’ll be responsible for selling the previous vintage, 2017 will be the first harvest the Cazes family will be completely responsible for. The first change at the chateau was a facelift. The previously drab, sandy walls were painted bright pink. Now, you can see the chateau all the way from Saint Julien! The next step was cultivating 16 additional hectares of vines. 2 more hectares were planted in 2020. A needed renovation of the cellars is also underway.

 

Current Owner: Cazes family 

Soils: Deep gunzian gravel, limestone from Saint-Estèphe, and sand

Farming: Harvest is manual. The tillage is exclusively mechanical with the plowing, the grape harvest is exclusively manual. A double sort is organized on vibrating table before and after destacking. The vatting is long during the vinification since it lasts about 3 weeks. In order to improve the quality of winemaking and preservation, an extensive investment program was carried out with the construction of a new winery and a new winery

Vines: On average 35 years of age

 

 

MATCHING RECIPE

Spiced lamb chops yogurt dressing