2008 Ch. Batailley, Pauillac

A dollop of fresh blackcurrants and ripe black cherries announce this consistently good value Pauillac. With a lovely, balancing streak of acidity running throughout, Ch. Batailley is an harmonious and precise wine with smooth, integrated tannins and a long, savoury, mineral finish. Owner Philippe Castéja attributes this blend of ripeness and freshness to the unusual length of time between flowering and harvest (140 days) in 2008; unique conditions which allowed him to make, yet again, one of our favourite value wines of the vintage.

Deep purple-red, pronounced blackcurrants nose with fragrance and complexity, good lifted fruit, not a blockbuster, but pure and rounded with a touch of leathery spice. Drink 2015-24.
(Decanter - Apr-2009)

Dense, complex crimson. Interesting, putty nose. Lots of intrigue here. Plush, broad, complex flavours already. Very lively. Sweet though more acid than tannin in evidence.
(Jancis Robinson MW - jancisrobinson.com - Apr 09)

 Wood spice, earth, black currant and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this elegant, medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, well-textured effort. From the bottle, it confirms the high quality I noted two years ago from barrel. More forward than usual for Batailley, it is a dark plum-hued wine that requires 2-4 years of bottle age, but should easily last 15+ years.
(Robert Parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)

The 2008, which was harvested between October 2-15, is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It exhibits Batailley’s well-known tannic profile, but the high level of polyphenols in this vintage equates to sweet tannins and no astringency whatsoever. A deep purple color is followed by sweet aromas of creme de cassis, forest floor, damp earth, licorice, and a subtle hint of wood. Part of the Batailley vineyard is only 800 meters from the St.-Julien border, but this is a classic Pauillac. The 2008 should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25-30.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr-2009)