Wine Advocate 88-90 / 100 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/29/2019 Haut Batailley was just purchased in 2017 by Famille JM Cazes (owners of Château Lynch Bages). A barrel sample blended of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Haut Batailley features classic cassis and cigar box notes with nuances of kirsch, pencil shavings, bay leaves and dusty soil. Medium-bodied, the palate has firm, ripe, grainy tannins and great freshness lifting the delicate red and black fruit flavors through an earthy finish.
Le Point 17 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 Profond, besoin d’air, sureau, poivre, juteux, suie, graphite, un peu salin, bien bâti, long, tanins denses, bien mûrs, fins, vifs, très juteux, de l’énergie.
Jeb DUNNUCK 92-94 / 100 byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018 A true gem in the vintage, and from an estate on the uptick, the 2017 Château Haut Batailley checks in as 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot that was brought up in 60% new French oak. It’s a big, medium to full-bodied, yet perfectly balanced 2017 that has loads of dark berry fruits, violets, leafy herbs and damp rock-like aromas and flavors. It has a touch of oak to integrate, building tannin, and a great finish, all pointing to a rockstar 2017 that will need short-term cellaring and keep for two decades. Bravo!
Vinous 91-94 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 The 2017 Haut-Batailley is a hugely promising wine. Sumptuous and expressive in the glass, with gorgeous layers of fruit that unfold effortlessly, the 2017 has quite a bit to offer. Silky tannins add an air of sensuality to a core of dark fruit, lavender, leather and spice notes. Tasted next to the bottled 2016, the 2017 speaks with an effortless refinement. The oak is especially well judged for a young wine. The Cazes family is putting a serious amount of investment behind their newest acquisition. Among other things, an ambitious replanting program is underway. Jean-Charles Cazes told me yields were generous in 2017, which is quite unusual for the year.
The Wine Cellar Insider 92-94 / 100 byJeff Levethe5/11/2018 With a good depth of color, the wine shows a nice purity of juicy cassis while a leafy olive and pepper component keeps you interested throughout this full bodied, crunchy and classic experience. The tannins are a bit uncompromising right now but give the wine time, and it will prove to be worth the wait. This is the debut vintage from the new owners, the Cazes family. The bottle was also sport a new, updated label design.
Vinous 90-92 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Haut Batailley, which is matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, is clearly more sophisticated than the second wine, polished by the oak of course but underneath its intense blackberry and boysenberry fruit, quite floral with touches of violet and iris. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, well-integrated oak and very smooth polished finish that glides across the mouth. There is fine precision on the finish. Tasted twice with consistent notes.
Decanter.com 92 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 The first year under the Cazes family, and we can expect big changes over the next few years with an extensive replanting programme planned. But for now, let's look at 2017, where production has been split 33% second wine and 66% grand vin, with no frost to hamper them. It's rich and deep, with a sense of forward motion and flexible tannins pushing the cassis fruit from start to finish, joined by focussed and lively brambled fruits and gentle cedar smoking. The austerity is clear, and it's a little lighter-framed than the Lynch Bages, and very different in personality, but it has real promise and I like it enormously. Expect a new label with the Tour d'Aspic tower and the JM Cazes family name. 60% new oak.Drinking Window 2025 - 2036
WeinWisser 17 / 20 byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot. Tiefes Granat mit violettem Rand. Duftige rote Kirschen und Eisenkraut. lm zweiten Ansatz steigen rote Johannisbeeren und Wachsnoten auf, Am straffen Gaumen mit feinsprbdem Extrakt und stützenden Musketn. lm mittleren Finale ein intensives Rückaroma mit Mau-beeren und Holunder. Es war sehr interes-sant, den deutlich charmanteren 2016er vorher zu degustieren, der zeigt, dass wir uns in einem klassischen Jahr befinden. Der Wein wird ab diesem Jahr vom Lynch-Bages-Team vinifiziert und man merkte dem Wein die neue Handschrift bereits beider Premiere an. 17/20 2025 - 2040
Jamessuckling.com 94-95 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 This is very structured and serious. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful. Boom. This is one of the best Haut-Batailleys in years. From the new owners, who also own Lynch-Bages.
Wine Spectator 89-92 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 This has good currant and damson fruit lined with tobacco and iron notes. Offers slightly dusty tannins but remains fresh and focused overall.—J.M.