The Producer

Chateau Batailley

The name Batailley boasts a long and proud history. The vineyard sits on a plateau to the west of Mouton Rothschild and is planted in the classic Pauillac wine appellation proportions with Cabernet Sauvignon the dominant varietal. The name is said to derive from a "bataille" fought 600 years ago between the French and the English on the same spot as the present property.

Grand Cru Classé AOC Pauillac

Château Batailley, a 5th Grand Cru Classé of the classification of 1855, is the family Castéja’s and Borie-Manoux’s flagship.

It is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc. The name is derived from the battle („bataille“) - that took place where the chateau and vineyard are today - during the 100-years war in the in 1452. In this battle, the French re-conquered the neighbouring Chateau Latour from the English, a crucial point in the history of Aquitaine. A few years later the first vines were planted on this historical and blood soaked grounds. Chateau Batailley’s garden was designed by Barillet-Deschamps, Napoleon III’s garden architect. In 1855 Napoleon III created the classification for the Grands Crus Classés of the Medoc. And Batailley was knighted Grand Cru.

The Region

Bordeaux, Pauillac

Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape, but it is invariably blended with other grapes. As with all red Bordeaux, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere may also be included in the blend (although wines will not necessarily include all six grapes). Prior to the 19th century, Malbec was predominant.

The style has been described as "stark". The predominant fruit flavour is usually blackcurrant, sometimes veering into plum. Pencil-shavings and cigar-box are also characteristic notes.

Wine from Pauillac may be labelled as Haut-Médoc (usually wine which the château considers inferior to its main offering and wishes to market under a different label). Similarly, second (or third) wines from the grandes châteaux may be labelled simply as Pauillac.