Pauillac 5th growth Château Batailley is recognised as one of the most consistent and better value classed growths of the Médoc. It’s wines are cast in a classical mould, displaying elegant blackcurrant fruit intermingled with judicious oak.
Although not one of the stand-out vintages of the noughties, 2004 was arguably the last truly ‘good value’ vintage in Bordeaux in so far as the big name chateaux are concerned. There is, of course, great value to be had among the many Crus Bourgeois and satellite appellations.
This bottle was the first of a case bought en-primeur for a relatively modest outlay of £165 in-bond. The same wine is currently selling for around £290 in-bond through brokerage houses in the UK (though to be fair, it is a drinker’s, not an investor’s wine).
The wine very much reflects the house style and vintage – this is an archetypal, classically proportioned Médoc. It is not rich, exotic, opulent or multi-layered in any sense of the word, but a classically defined wine that reflects its gravelly terroir; dry blackcurrant fruit interwoven with graphite/pencil shavings and a hint of resin. It isn’t the most exciting wine on the planet, but it drinks very well alongside a piece of red meat, and should develop more complexity over the next five or so years.
2004 CHÂTEAU BATAILLEY
Producer: Château Batailley
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon et al
Vintage: 2004
Region: Pauillac - Bordeaux, France
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: N/a
Date tasted: 11 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Bright ruby red, fading slowly toward the rim. Attractive nose of blackcurrant, plum, pencil shavings and charcoal, resinous notes. Dry , medium bodied, savoury blackcurrant fruit, slightly gravely texture. Tannins, though present, are fine grained. Overall, the wine is well balanced, and finishes reasonably long.
Score: 16/20
Although not one of the stand-out vintages of the noughties, 2004 was arguably the last truly ‘good value’ vintage in Bordeaux in so far as the big name chateaux are concerned. There is, of course, great value to be had among the many Crus Bourgeois and satellite appellations.
This bottle was the first of a case bought en-primeur for a relatively modest outlay of £165 in-bond. The same wine is currently selling for around £290 in-bond through brokerage houses in the UK (though to be fair, it is a drinker’s, not an investor’s wine).
The wine very much reflects the house style and vintage – this is an archetypal, classically proportioned Médoc. It is not rich, exotic, opulent or multi-layered in any sense of the word, but a classically defined wine that reflects its gravelly terroir; dry blackcurrant fruit interwoven with graphite/pencil shavings and a hint of resin. It isn’t the most exciting wine on the planet, but it drinks very well alongside a piece of red meat, and should develop more complexity over the next five or so years.
2004 CHÂTEAU BATAILLEYProducer: Château Batailley
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon et al
Vintage: 2004
Region: Pauillac - Bordeaux, France
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: N/a
Date tasted: 11 December 2011
Tasting Note:
Bright ruby red, fading slowly toward the rim. Attractive nose of blackcurrant, plum, pencil shavings and charcoal, resinous notes. Dry , medium bodied, savoury blackcurrant fruit, slightly gravely texture. Tannins, though present, are fine grained. Overall, the wine is well balanced, and finishes reasonably long.
Score: 16/20
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