Haut Batailley - Pauillac 2014

Vinous

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018

The 2014 Haut-Batailley has a tightly wound bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, mint and graphite. It is not powerful or showy, much more linear and actually quite discrete. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp blackberry and boysenberry fruit, graphite and cedar, very focused and nicely structured although it clearly requires several years to unfurl. But it conveys energy right on the finish that bodes well for the future. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017

The 2014 Haut Batailley has a very subtle bouquet, one that bided its time in the glass and then unfolded with scents of blackberry, briary, pencil box and light graphite scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, moderate weight, classic and perhaps conservative in style. Yet the harmony is just wonderful and it slips down the throat almost too easily. As such, I feel this is a more approachable Haut-Batailley compared to other vintages, yet it has the body to reward three of four years of bottle age.

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

Very aromatic with cassis and stone character that follows through to a medium to full body, silky tannins and a fresh finish. Fine texture. Try in 2022.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/9/2017

Solidly built, with a core of cassis, plum and anise that builds nicely, backed by brambly grip and a well-buried iron note. The finish is a bit rugged, but the fruit and minerality pump throughout in unison. Should round into form with cellaring. Best from 2019 through 2029. 6,250 cases made.

Vinous

92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

the 2014 Haut Batailley is powerful, dense and tightly wound, with terrific energy underpinning the fruit. The 2014 has really come together nicely over the last two years. Today, the flavors are fresh, aromatic and lifted and there is lovely depth and intensity to the wine. A bit more time in bottle should help the tannins soften.

Le Point

16,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015

Fruits rouges, cerise, bouche souple, bien fruitée, léger, tendre, frais, élégant, finale serrée. Très joli fruit. 

Vinous

89-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Haut Batailley is quite dark and intense. Dark plum, smoke, game, leather and white pepper flesh out in a powerful, incisive wine built on pure power. The 2014 is likely to require at least a few years for the tannins to soften. Today, the 2014 Haut Batailley is a bit imposing, yet there is plenty of intrigue.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

Florals with cassis on the nose and the unmistakable elegance and strength of Pauillac. This wine is fresh and sweet with a hint of cherry that should drink well early. Blending 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, the wine reached 13.5% alcohol. 89-92 Pts

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Haut-Batailley 2014 is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot picked between 25 September and 9 October at 33hl/ha. The nose seems to revel in that Cabernet Sauvignon: sensual black fruit on the nose mixed with minerals and incense aromas. It offers knockout precision. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin that are enveloped in pure black cherry fruit mixed with blueberry and even hints of orange rind. There is already plenty of energy coiled up in this Haut-Batailley – a splendid Pauillac in the making.

Asian Palate

90-92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

Balanced and elegant with ripe plum and supple tannins. Palate offers velvety texture and lovely, subtle flavors with a fairly long finish. Well made Pauillac with good length and aging potential.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2015

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot. 33 hl/ha. Lots of energy here. Intense purple fruit, and lots of richness. Spicy fruit. Lots of richness and life. Very glossy and fills the palate. Very racy – like a racehorse. No excess of acid or dry tannins. Very neat and charming. Great clarity of purpose.  Drink 2022-2034

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015

Lovely textured, lifted black Cabernet fruit to the fore. Beautiful expression and an elegantly long finish. Drink: 2019-2030 (90+)

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

A young wine with presence and finesse showing firm tannins, a medium to full body and a persistent finish. Fine texture.

timatkin.com

92 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

78 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot. Niedriger Ertrag mit nur 33 hl/ha. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Grossartiges, tiefes, warmes Cabernetbouquet, viel dunkle Edelhölzer und Pflaumen. Selten kam ein Haut-Batailley bei der Primeurdegustation so finessenreich daher. Konzentrierter Gaumen, festes Extrakt, sehr guter Rückhalt und eine schon fast ungestüme Cabernetkraft ausstrahlend, fein körniges Finale, welches seine leicht bourgeoise Textur unterstreicht. Dieser Wein wird noch für viele, positive Überraschungen sorgen, nicht zuletzt wegen seinem grossartigen Alterungspotential. Ich persönlich stelle ihn über 2010er. Also ist dies ein ganz grosser Pauillac-Value heuer! 18/20 2024 – 2048

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2015

Light tobacco and cedar hints lead off, followed by pretty red currant and bitter cherry fruit flavors. Shows good energy on the iron-edged finish. A minerally style ofPauillac.