The 2021 Batailley is quite the powerhouse. Even so, it offers fine balance. Broad tannins enshroud a core of dark-toned fruit, licorice, spice, black olive, lavender and sage. Batailley is a rare 2021 that is going to need time to come together. Its intensity, breadth and overall persistence are impressive. There`s real textural resonance here, not to mention tons of character. 94 points

The 2021 Batailley almost revels in a cooler, challenging vintage like this. It has a well-defined, clean, fresh, classically styled bouquet, with a pencil shaving-infused black fruit aromatic profile that could only come from Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, very harmonious with white pepper and sage, gently building in the mouth toward a cohesive, long, graphite-tinged finish. This is a Batailley that feels comfortable in its own skin. I suspect it has 25-30 years of drinking pleasure to give. 93 points