Château Haut Batailley - Pauillac 2005

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

An excellent wine from Xavier Borie, the 2005 Haut-Batailley displays plenty of silky blackcurrant fruit along with notes of licorice and incense, as well as some nice underbrush and unsmoked cigar tobacco. Medium-bodied and lush, with lovely purity, this beautiful wine should drink well for another 15-20 years.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Mid crimson. Fragrant. Lively cassis syrup. The acid and tannins are a bit jagged at this stage. Awkward rather than a pleasure.  13% Drink 2023-2040(16.5+)

La Revue du Vin de France

16 / 20

the10/20/2014

Encore d'une belle jeunesse (notes de fruits frais). La bouche est aussi bien vigoureuse et offre un bel équilibre avec des tanins raffinés.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/12/2009

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has some baked fruits on the nose, a little meaty with fig and raisin with good definition. Very sweet and ripe on the palate. Good depth and structure with layers of toasty black fruit laced with tobacco. Good weight on the finish - this has the stuffing to suggest long-term cellaring. Drink 2013-2030. Tasted January 2009.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Medium red-ruby. Ripe, smoky aromas of plum and caramel; this smells opulent! Fat and sweet in the mouth, with a slightly roasted character to the supple plum and leather flavors. In a heavier style than the 2006 but with a reasonably fine-grained texture. Finishes with dusty tannins. I find this less refined than the 2006, but there's more material and ripeness here.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

Proprietor Xavier Borie has turned out a beautiful silky-textured Pauillac revealing classic creme de cassis, licorice, and tar-like characteristics interwoven with cedar and roasted herb notes. Medium-bodied and elegant, it is more St.-Julien-like in personality than Pauillac. But who’s complaining? This 2005 will provide lovely drinking in its youth, yet age well for 15 or more years. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

One of the finest Haut-Batailleys I have tasted in many years, Xavier Borie has ratcheted up the quality at this estate. Always one of the most St.-Julien-like of the Pauillacs, the 2005 exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue, a sweet bouquet of mulberries, black currants, licorice, tar, and flowers, medium to full body, and an elegant, pure personality with a luscious texture as well as a silky finish (atypical for this vintage). Anticipated maturity: 2010-2024.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2006

Good medium ruby. Subdued aromas of black cherry and menthol. Supple and pliant if a bit withdrawn; rather youthfully stunted in the middle today, with a note of fresh herbs but also good chocolatey sweetness. Finishes with good length and freshness. A rather awkward showing today, but I suspect this is simply very unevolved. This will require patience.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/27/2006

As usual, the 2005 Haut-Batailley resembles a St.-Julien more than a Pauillac. It possesses a deep plum/ruby color as well as a sweet nose of raspberries, black currants, spice, and oak. Elegant, medium-bodied, and made in a less powerful, structured style than most 2005s, it should hit its peak in 5-6 years, and last for 15 or more.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/28/2006

Aromas of crushed berry, spice and light toasted oak. Licorice galore. Full-bodied, with velvety texture and a long, caressing finish. Another 2000. —J.S.