Château Batailley 2021

An exceptional Batailley this year. Cool blue fruits and a graphite nose, salinity and minerality coming from the aromatics. Energy, focus and precision here – it’s straight and linear, the plumpness has gone into Lion but this is focused and direct, really streamlined with precise edges to the tannins and cool blue and bramble hedgerow fruit. It’s quite a serious take, but it has a juicy, almost sweet core of blackcurrant and cherry, with a slate finish. Well constructed, precise, finessed – totally classic. You cannot go wrong with this and for the price it’s insanely good. Drinking window: 2028-2050. (Georgina Hindle,decanter.com,May 20, 2024)