Château Batailley

Brand Description

Château Batailley, a 5th Growth Pauillac of the famed 1855 Classification, is Borie-Manoux’s flagship property. The name is derived from the battle (bataille) that took place during the Hundred Years’ War around 1453, designating where the château and vineyard are today. In this battle, the French reconquered the neighboring Château Latour from the English, a crucial point for ending the 300-year-long reign of the English in Aquitaine. The first record of vines planted on these historical grounds dates back to the 16th century. Château Batailley’s 12-acre (5-hectare) gardens were originally designed by Barillet-Deschamps, Napoleon III’s landscape architect, in 1850.

Location of Vineyard

The vineyards spread out over 140 acres (57 hectares) with an average vine age of 40 years old. The soil is silica and gravel, but the heart of the vineyard is on a deep gravel bed over a subsoil of clay and sandstone. There are also some parcels located in between Château Latour and Pichon-Lalande.

Winemaking Philosophy

After a brief cold soak and the use of selected yeasts, the musts are fermented in stainless steel vats with a very traditional vinification. The charming chai dates from 1840 and is lit by an impressive iron candelabra. It is here where the wine is aged for roughly 16 to 18 months in 50% new oak. Batailley is a classic and very typical Pauillac, with cassis and currant flavors and a very firm structure.

Philippe Castéja
Château Batailley
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Winery Profile
Owner: Philippe Castéja/Borie Manoux
Winemaker: Arnaud Durand
Founded: 19th Century
Production: 180000
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Acclaim
“The 2023 Lions de Batailley is a big step up from the Pauillac de Batailley, with much more terroir expression. Blackberry mixes with cedar and pencil shavings on the nose—classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins that frame the bright black fruit laced with tobacco. Again, this is quintessential old-school Pauillac, and it offers plenty of freshness on the finish. Recommended.” — acclaim for 2023 Lions de Batailley Pauillac from Vinous, Apr 2024
“Beautiful fruit with currants and blackberries, as well as notes of walnuts and chocolate. So much blackberry fruit here. Aromatic. Medium- to full-bodied with very fine tannins on the deep and structured palate. Racy and long finish.” — acclaim for 2023 Château Batailley Pauillac from James Suckling, Apr 2024
“The 2023 Batailley was picked September 12 to October 5 at around 49hL/ha, matured in 57% new oak. It has an elegant and understated bouquet compared to the previous vintage, as with all châteaux, well-defined, with a light estuarine influence emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It’s very bright and fresh and there’s plenty of fruit here. A deft, harmonious finish lingers in the mouth. This is an excellent Batailley.” — acclaim for 2023 Château Batailley Pauillac from Vinous, Apr 2024
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