2024 Chateau Haut-Batailley 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac

The 2024 Haut-Batailley races across the palate with masses of dark fruit, menthol, licorice, espresso and dried herbs. Floral overtones reappear on the finish, adding a refined touch. Powerful yet polished, the 2024 is quite impressive. This feels a bit less extracted than the first vintages under the leadership of the Cazes family, not a bad thing at all in my view. Very fine. Tasted two times.

Currants, flowers, cocoa, tobacco, and blackberry aromatics create the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with more of those clean, sweet, juicy, chewy black, with red currants. The wine was made from blending 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot, 12.9% ABV, 3.63 pH. Drink from 2028-2045.

The 2024 Château Haut-Batailley checks in as 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It brings more density and depth compared to the Verso and is deeper ruby/purple-hued with solid notes of darker currants, sappy flowers, and graphite, as well as some classic Pauillac freshly sharpened pencils. It's beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, has fine tannins, and a beautiful finish.

The 2024 Haut Batailley was picked from September 25 to October 7 and aged in 60% new oak. This has a light bouquet with graphite-tinged black fruit, but I am seeking more vigor in this Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewiness on the entry and decent structure, though it feels conservative and strict toward the finish. I need to be more convinced by this—perhaps it will gain a bit more substance by the time of bottling?

The 2024 Haut-Batailley offers up aroma of cherries, kirsch and petroleum jelly, followed by a medium-bodied, chunky and tannic palate.

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Lively, berry-fruit aromas. Gentle and juicy but with a firmness of structure behind. Middling depth and weight but some potential. (JL)