Jamessuckling.com 92 / 100 par James Suckling le 15/02/2015 A 2012 with currant, wet earth and walnut aromas and flavors. Full body, firm tannins and a savory finish. Give it three to four years to open. Well done. Better in 2018.
Wine Spectator 89 / 100 par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015 Nicely ripe, with notes of cassis, blackberry preserves and cherry confiture, offset by a slightly loamy structure that runs through the cedar- and espresso-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 6,665 cases made. –JM
timatkin.com 93 / 100 par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013 François-Xavier Borie’s value-for-money Pauillac expresses the best aspects of the vintage with considerable aplomb. It’s very much a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven red, with leafy cassis aromas, backed up by serious, grainy tannins, some spice and plenty of freshness and bite. Elegant and focused. Drink: 2020-30
Le Point 15,5-16 / 100 par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013 Fruits noirs, épices, bouche ronde, suave, pleine, élégante, assez moelleuse, tanins doux, pas trop extrait, du volume mais des tanins très fondus. O= 2016 G= 12 ans.
Wine Advocate 89-91 / 100 par Neal Martin le 02/05/2013 Tasted en primeur at the château. The Haut-Batailley 2012 is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot picked between 3rd and 16th October at 38hl/ha. It has an understated bouquet – a graphite seam interwoven through delicate black, slightly earthy fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant entry. There is crisp acidity here, a citric freshness that informs the classic, graphite-tinged finish that achieves fine symmetry. This should be approachable, but should likewise mature well over 15-20 years. Tasted April 2013.
Wine Spectator 87-90 / 100 par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013 A taut, herb-tinged style, with savory and rosemary wafting through the plum and red currant fruit. Lean but lengthy, this delivers an iron twinge. —J.M.
Wine Advocate 85-87 / 100 par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013 Elegant but somewhat diluted, this is a pleasant, one-dimensional, superficial Pauillac that can be drunk uncritically. It is not up to the standards of more recent vintages, no doubt because of the challenges of the 2012 vintage.
The Wine Cellar Insider 88-90 / 100 par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot make up the blend. The wine will be aged in 60% new French oak barrels. Smoke, licorice and cassis notes open to a medium-bodied, black cherry-filled wine with some dryness in the finish. 88-90 Pts
Jean-Marc QUARIN 15,5 / 20 par Jean-Marc Quarin le 25/04/2013 Couleur sombre et intense. Nez mûr et fruité. Bouche tendre, suave, très fruitée, caressante, avec du goût et des tanins fins. Finale parfumée. Vin d’allure classique au corps moyen, riche en arôme plus qu’en tanin.
My Bettane + Desseauve 16 / 20 le 25/04/2013 Notes de cèdre et de havane classiques du terroir, bon équilibre général, confirme la tendance des derniers millésimes à produire des vins plus corsés que naguère, ultra classique dans son tannin et sans grand rival dans sa catégorie de prix.
Decanter.com 17 / 20 par Steven Spurrier le 22/04/2013 Fine expression of Cabernet-Merlot fruit, smooth, charming and classy. 17/20pts ( 90/100pts)Drink: 2016 - 2026
Jamessuckling.com 90-91 / 100 par James Suckling le 04/04/2013 A super refined and pretty wine with blueberry and raspberry. Full-to-medium body, with integrated tannins and a long finish. Subtle and balanced for the vintage.