The 2012 Haut-Batailley offers a superior bouquet of black fruit and crushed stone with mineral complexity, providing a focused and defined palate. Medium-bodied with fine tannins, it features a stylish, sweet finish. Though still integrating oak, the wine shows substantial depth and has the potential to age beautifully, especially recommended for enjoyment from 2020 onwards. It is a standout vintage, rivaling the 2009 and 2010.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Jun 30, 2017
Drink: 2020-2045

Tasted at a vertical tasting at the château. The 2012 Haut Batailley has a superior bouquet to the 2011, with more complexity and mineralité, crushed stone intermingling with copious black fruit all with exquisite delineation and focus. There is a strictness here, perhaps borrowed from its half-brother, Grand Puy-Lacoste. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition and focus. There is still some oak to be absorbed but there is plenty of substance on the stylish, sweet finish that is very seductive. This is an excellent wine from François-Xavier Borie, dare I say up there with the 2009 and 2010. It comes highly recommended. Tasted July 2016.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 92
Published: Feb 9, 2015

A 2012 with currant, wet earth and walnut aromas and flavors. Full body, firm tannins and a savory finish. Give it three to four years to open. Well done. Better in 2018.

Decanter | D 90
Drink: 2016-2026

Fine expression of Cabernet-Merlot fruit, smooth, charming and classy.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17
Published: Mar 18, 2022
Drink: 2022-2040

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. A bit inscrutable on the nose. But lots of concentration and ambition. Rich fruit with polished tannins. Though not that long? Perhaps slightly too evolved for greatness?

Hautbatailley.com

Château Haut-Batailley is a harmonious, elegant wine with a fine tannic structure and will develop even more complexity and depth over time.

The vineyard extends over 41 hectares on soils of deep Garonne gravel.

22 hectares are currently in production. In 2017, when the Cazes family took over, 19 hectares of land with planting rights within AOC Pauillac had not been planted (they were never reinstated after Phylloxera).

One year later, following an in-depth study of the terroirs, an extensive planting programme was carried out. The vineyard's total surface has doubled in only three years, from 22 to 41 hectares.

The vines are located on the southern part of the Pauillac appellation, bordering Saint-Julien.

Particularly representative of the Pauillac appellation, grapes are currently Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Enhancing biodiversity and agroforestry is at the core of our contribution to nature. In 2022, 14 different varieties of over 910 trees and shrubs were  planted in the heart of the vineyard.