The 2021 Château Haut-Batailley shines, and this estate, under the helm of the team from Lynch-Bages, is one to watch. Classic Cabernet notes of cassis, violets, and graphite give way to a medium to full-bodied effort offering ripe, polished tannins, the freshness and purity of the vintage, terrific balance, and a great finish. It's more than a little impressive, and while it shows the vintage's more elegant, mid-weight style, it brings depth and richness.

A firm and refined red with crushed-stone and salty, mineral character, as well as creamy tannins. Some iodine, too. Medium body. Medium finish. 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot.

The 2021 Haut-Batailley is a charming, medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine evocative of cassis, sweet berries, pipe tobacco and pencil shavings. Supple and succulent, with an ample core of fruit and ripe, powdery tannins, it will likely take on additional depth with further élevage. Significant replanting of fallow parcels is underway at this Pauillac estate, but those vines are currently relegated to the second wine, the Verso of Haut-Batailley.