WTN: Wines Most Loved -Batailley

2015 Château Batailley (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac) 13.5% abv

My favourite claret since visiting the place on my first visit to Bordeaux many years ago. I bought a case every year en premiere until recently.

I bought this in 2016, it was delivered in 2022 and kept in my Eurocave.

Showing signs of age, i.e. some bricking. Soft and generous but not opulent. Very drinkable, kept refilling my glass when empty. This is perfect now and I'll open the rest over the course of this year.

Accompanied Roast Leg of Lamb, with roast parsnip and potatoes, steamed brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli florets

[Jenise]

Peter, six years from purchase to delivery when you're only right across the channel. What gives?

When you buy en-premiere the wine is still in barrel, it has to have barrel time and then the assemblage has to be done, the wine bottled some bottle aging then delivered. Then the UK reseller -in this case The Wine Society gives the option of having the wine delivered, stored in bond or stored in its warehouse with tax paid.

You're right that 6 years is a long time, but since I also had the 2016 vintage delivered on the same day it seems I used the Wine Society's storage facilities.

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds excellent. I actually opened a 2005 Bordeaux last night (Haut-Bergey), but it was quite tight/young. I expected more evolution.