Lions de Batailley 2016

Type: Red Wine      Volume: 750ml

Winery: Chateau Batailley

Country: France     Region: Bordeaux

District: Pauillac

Grapes Varieties: 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon

Classification: 2nd Wine of Ch. Batailley     Production: 

Alcohol: 13% abv     Packing: Original Wooden Case of 6 bottles

Ratings and Tasting Notes:

JS=93 The blackcurrant and blueberry aromas pop out of the glass. Medium to full body, linear and refined tannins and a currant, coffee and smoke aftertaste. Second wine of Batailley. Try after 2022.

WS=90 This takes a relatively gentle and perfumy approach, with slightly high-toned cherry, red currant and damson plum fruit, inlaid with sleek tannins and hints of sandalwood and cedar. Best from 2021 through 2030.

WA=88-90 The 2016 Lions de Batailley is the third vintage of the Deuxième vin from Château Batailley. A blend of 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 70% Cabernet Sauvignon—a mixture of young vines but mostly a winery selection representing over 30% of the total production. It offers plenty of blackberry and bilberry on the nose infused with tobacco and pronounced graphite aromas. The palate is quite concentrated on the entry with some hard tannins marking the entry. This feels firm in the mouth despite the contribution of the Merlot, saline and a little spicy towards the finish that has a good grip. Maybe I would have just dialled down the new oak here, as it feels a little conspicuous on the aftertaste but that may well be assimilated by the time of bottling.