A serious yet surprisingly precocious and supple-textured Pauillac, the dense ruby/purple-colored, medium to full-bodied 2012 Batailley exhibits sweet, nicely textured tannins along with plenty of black fruit, forest floor, underbrush and cedar characteristics. Ripe, fruity and exceptionally well-made, it will benefit from several years of cellaring, and can be drunk over the following 15 years. 89-91+ points

Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Grand Vin is a blend 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet in colour, the Batailley has decent fruit concentration on the nose with blackcurrant, small red cherries and a pleasant graphite scent. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy ripe tannins. There is certainly a sweet core of fruit, quite smooth and perhaps a little more modern in style compared to recent vintages, but that is no bad thing and there is very fine weight and volume towards the harmonious finish that really comes together over 10 minutes in the glass. 90-92 points

Deep colour with good intensity. Superb, fruity nose. Hints of blackcurrant and vanilla. Very fruity attack, developing to become caressing on the palate, smooth in the middle, it builds up all the time, but remains moderately powerful. Fine, flavoursome tannins. Nice taste. Blend. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 89 points