Haut Batailley, Verso - Pauillac 2020

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Enticing, with an open feel combined with a good depth of blackberry and black currant fruit flavors, lined with singed balsam wood and tobacco hints. Ends with a perfumed, old-school feel. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2033.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

The second wine of Haut-Batailley, the 2020 Château Haut-Batailley Verso is a 60/40 split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 13.7% natural alcohol and a pH of 3.81. It has a ripe, Merlot-dominated nose of black cherries, licorice, gravelly earth, and melted chocolate as well as medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It's one satisfying, textured, balanced Pauillac to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years.

Vinous

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Verso, bottled after 12 months in barrel, has clearly come out of its shell since I tasted it from barrel. This gushes from the glass with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, touches of dark plum and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very pure with a touch of cracked black pepper and graphite towards the nicely proportioned finish. Very fine.

Le Figaro

90-92 / 100

the6/2/2021

Le nez ouvert sur un tendre bouquet de cerise mûre. Qui se prolonge par cette même douceur en bouche, avec des arômes de fruits rouges estivaux, pour une gourmandise rafraîchie d'une pointe d'acidité.

Vinous

88-90 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Verso is a gorgeous second wine. Muscular, sinewy tannins wrap around a core of black fruit, scorched earth, herbs and leather. Today, the tannins are a touch severe.

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-91 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

The second wine of Château Haut-Batailley, the 2020 Château Haut-Batailley Verso is a pretty, floral, medium-bodied wine with lovely red and blue fruit, a kiss of mint and sandalwood, light tannins, and just terrific overall balance. It’s already hard to resist, and I see no need to delay gratification, although I’m sure it will evolve for at least a decade or so

Vinous

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Verso, the recently introduced Merlot-dominated second wine of Haut-Batailley, accounting for about 35% of the production, will spend eight months in one-year-old barrels. This comes across more muted on the nose compared to its stablemate, the Echo de Lynch Bages that precedes it. It needs more coaxing, almost reluctantly yielding tertiary red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black and red fruit, fine backbone and salinity, and a subtle black pepper note mixed with freshly rolled tobacco toward the finish. This should drink well for 8–10 years, though I would afford it a couple of years in bottle.

Decanter.com

90 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Powerful ripe berry fruits, with layers of fine tannins that are pretty angular at this stage. As the wine opens, aniseed, fennel and spice notes come through. This is an enjoyable wine with personality. 3.81pH, no new oak. A yield of 40hl/ha.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Verso is a blend of 60% Merlot with the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Petit Verdot, aging for around eight months in one-year-old French oak barriques. It has an alcohol of 13.7%, a pH of 3.81 and an IPT (tannin index) of 80. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is showing a little reduction at this nascent stage, giving way to a core of baked black plums, blueberry pie and crème de cassis, plus hints of tar, licorice and cracked black pepper. The medium-bodied palate delivers lightly chewy tannins to support the black fruit and earthy layers, with a glimmer of freshness in the background, finishing on a stewed tea note.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/12/2021

A firm, silky red with a medium body, chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Shows linear depth and tension for a second wine.

Anthocyanes

90-92 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Très cabernet avec un nez de fruits noirs, de violette et de mure. Bouche charnue, juteuse, bel ensemble avec une petite note variétale très élégante. Un vin de plaisir avec du charme.