Professional Ratings

• 95 James Suckling
  Impressive depth to the wine from the outset with a gently smoky edge to the ripe blackberries, blueberries and red plums. Some attractive spicy oak here, too. The mid-weight palate has a very composed and linear shape with a long, succulent and regal finish. Great polish and balance here; the structure is superb. Try from 2022.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2015 Batailley is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot cropped at 48 hl/ha picked between 17-30 September. Matured in around 55-60% new oak, it has a very focused, intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and mineral notes, perhaps a little Margaux-like in style as those violets blossom with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, a touch of white pepper here lending edginess, gradually building to a very composed and structured finish. This is an excellent Batailley, meliorated by the introduction of a second wine, that continues the upswing in quality over the last six or seven years. I would not be surprised if this settles at the top of my banded score once in bottle.
  Barrel Sample: 93-95
• 93 Jeb Dunnuck
  Located in Pauillac, Château Batailley has made a beautiful 2015, but it’s going to need time to integrate its oak. Made from primarily Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 20% Merlot and just a splash of Petit Verdot, it gives up lots of red currants, coffee, and cedary, woody spice characteristics as well as a meaty undercurrent. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and polished on the palate, with ripe, yet present tannin, give bottle 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more. Tasted once.
• 93 Wine Enthusiast
  Ripe and spicy, this wine comes from an estate on the western edge of Pauillac. Young fruit, toast and fine tannins are combining well into a rich wine that is likely to develop relatively quickly, very much in the style of this property. Drink from 2024.
• 92 Vinous

  The 2015 Batailley has a slightly gamey bouquet that opens nicely in the glass, with red berry fruits, brown spices and light minty aromas that entice you in. The palate is medium-bodied with plush tannins, but there is real structure behind it, insistent grip with an off-dry, dark chocolate-tinged finish.

• 92 Wine Spectator
  A showy mint note leads off, followed by a flash of ganache before giving way to a core of steeped black currant and fig fruit. A strong charcoal edge through the finish gives this texture and length, while a bay leaf note adds freshness. There's lots to like in this old-school version. Best from 2022 through 2033.