Batailley 2011

Dark ruby colour with a tight rim. The nose presents fresh cassis, lead pencil, mineral, mint, and liquorice. The wine is still tight and quite fat on the palate, with blackcurrant and black-cherry flavours, accompanied by dark chocolate and liquorice. It is less concentrated than the 2009 and 2010 vintages but still provides fruit structure, weight, and depth. Batailley 2011 is made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, undergoing laborious work with harvest dates and two green harvests to concentrate fruit. The wine is aged 55% new oak, producing only 38hl/HA.

Consumers compare Batailley and Haut Batailley, which are both 5th Growth. Batailley is fuller-bodied and warmer, echoing a classic Pauillac, while Haut Batailley, also a Pauillac, has a St Julien personality and is more structured to some. The Tasting Team prefers Batailleys in most instances because regardless of vintage, they can age and nurture higher complexity over time.

Consistent comments on the 2011 vintage make these bottles safe for prudent drinkers. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 94 points, describing it as a severe and dense wine with dark, concentrated texture and rich blackberry flavours, balanced with apparent wood ageing. The drinking window is suggested from 2017 to 2027. According to Parker et al., Batailley 2011 is ready years back, with a suggested drinking window from 2017 to 2030, recommending a one-hour decanting session to appreciate its nuances fully. The RP score of 91 further validates its quality and ageing potential, reassuring collectors. James Suckling awarded it 92 points, describing it as having a beautiful length with silky tannins, a juicy finish, and medium to full body. Wine Spectator gives it 91 points, noting solid plum and cherry flavours, integrated toasted vanilla, and a lightly pebbly edge on the finish.