2017 Haut Batailley 6 Pack

94 POINTS

James Suckling

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. Points: 94-95

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2017 Haut-Batailley is powerful, dark and racy. Dark cherry, gravel, smoke, menthol, licorice and spice all pulse with notable energy and tons of Cabernet Sauvignon savoriness. For such a big wine, Haut-Batailley has quite a bit of nuance, but it is the sense of vibrancy here that is compelling.

93 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

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.

93 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

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!

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Lovely perfumes and currants with graphite and light herbs. Medium to full body. Creamy tannins. Soft and elegant and creamy at the end. Finesse. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon and 34% merlot. Drink in 2022.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2017 Haut-Batailley was cropped at 50hl/ha according to Jean-Charles Cazes since they escaped frost damage. It is the first vintage that the Cazes family have full responsibility for (incidentally, the 2016 remains unsold at time of writing). Matured for 18 months in 60% new oak, it has developed nicely since I last tasted it: blackberry, bilberry, graphite and mint aromas stride out of the glass, veins of blue fruit emerging after a couple of minutes of aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite cohesive and dense with good grip towards the finish. There is suppleness here, but there is backbone too. Good potential.

92 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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.

92 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

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. Points: 91-94