The 2017 Batailley was picked between 19 and 27 September at 52hl/ha. Like the deuxieme vin, the nose demands coaxing from the glass, initially quite restrained with cedar and cigar box infused black fruit that finally begin to unfold after five minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannin, fine depth and balance, well judged acidity and a precise, quintessential Pauillac finish. This feels long on the aftertaste – a fine follow-up to the 2015 and 2016 and it may well land at the top of my banded score. Tasted three times with consistent notes. 90-92 points

This is good, showing less dominant oak than in some recent years and with a good level of fruit and extraction. It`s a good year for appellation typicity up in this part of the Medoc, and this displays firm Pauillac tannins, well held together, with savoury and juicy fruit. I get the impression that this will close down, because those tannins are pretty serious, and with good levels of freshness this will age very well. They are doing great work at this estate at the moment. 52hl/ha yield. 60% new oak. 93 points

Deep crimson. Sweet cassis and light-handed oak giving a very slight char. Quite chewy on the palate, a little austere with the structure outmanoeuvring the fruit at the moment. 16+ points

Blended of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Batailley gives profound notes of crème de cassis, preserved plums and licorice over a core of espresso, tapenade and Marmite toast. Medium-bodied with a ripe, firm backbone of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the vivacious, sustained fruit, it finishes long with a red fruit lift. 91-93 points