The 2021 Haut-Batailley shows an estate in evolution. Aromatic and medium in body, the 2021 is not quite as bombastic as some previous editions, which is a positive. Savory, earthy and expressive, the 2021 also feels a bit closed at this stage. This is a super-classy and refined Pauillac. -- Antonio Galloni

Open and violet-scented bramble fruits, some smoked cherries and milk chocolate. Smooth and supple, this has generosity of fruit, acidity and velvety tannins. Round and just so delicious, really very moreish, all in balance with the texture that is both fine as well as plump, giving this total mouth-coating feel with a delicacy but also depth of flavour. Extremely approachable even at this stage with so much life and energy but well controlled too. I love this! The creamy, chalky edges are so appealing, it's by no means a showstopper but for balance, harmony and a lovely fresh and soft and gentle Claret it's delicious. That mint, liquorice ending is great too. Has persistence and length. Eric Boissenot consultant. 3.74pH.

Much more Cabernet Sauvignon-based, the 2021 Château Haut-Batailley is straight and focused, with textbook Pauillac graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco notes as well as beautiful fruit, medium body, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It shows the elegant, seamless style of the vintage and brings enough concentration and structure to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and shine over the following 15+.

Tobacco, leafy herbs, espresso, licorice, smoke, chocolate and black cherries form the perfume. The palate is medium-bodied, chewy, fresh and savory, with a touch of herbs and olives that accompany the red plums in the mid-palate and in the finish. The wine blends 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Drink from 2026-2045.

Some angularity to the tannins, this goes longer on extraction than the 2020 Verso, as you would expect, but it comes up against the vintage character. Earth, raspberry leaf and smoked earth, plenty of savoury Cabernet, crayon and pencil lead, savoury and fragrant. 70% new oak. 40ha of vines from this vintage, after extra planting of the vineyard. Cool climate character. 70% new oak for ageing. Julien Galland technical director, 35hl/h yield.

Offering up aromas of cassis, minty blackberries, lilac and pencil shavings, the 2021 Haut-Batailley is medium to full-bodied, supple and polished, with a succulent core of fruit and delicately chalky tannins. For many years, significant parts of this property were left unplanted, but as of 2022, all 41 hectares are now under vine; so, there'll be more of this Pauillac—with its new, more modern style—to go around. - William Kelley