Château Haut-Batailley : Verso 2021

The 2021 Verso offers up aromas of sweet minty berries and crème de cassis, followed by a medium-bodied, soft and supple palate that concludes with a delicately herbal finish.

Shows the trim side of the vintage, though the mix of damson plum and black cherry fruit is fresh and focused, while savory and tobacco flecks chime through the finish. Reveals a late minerally twang, too. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030.

This wine is open and aromatic with fine acidity and piercing freshness. It is balanced, finely structured and juicy. Drink from 2027.

Sweet strawberry bramble notes on the nose, smells welcoming and fragrant, like soft perfume, really delicate and pretty. Light and delicate on the Palate with the rose and scented fruits apparent. This does expand on the second tasting, moving from quite austere fruit to more textured tannins, with crushed stone minerality and a fresh mint finish. High acidity but good depth. Sweet ripe fruit from Merlot and the length from the Cabernet. Forward and delicious, almost ready to drink but this will fill out over ageing. 3.62pH.

A juicy and pleasantly fruity red with currant and orange peel as well as chocolate and mushroom character. Medium body. Fine tannins. Delicate and caressing texture. Hard not to drink now. Best in 2024.

Tasted blind. Looks quite evolved. Not much on the nose except for a slight plasticky aroma. A second bottle was the same on the nose, though it did have some fruit on the palate. Hard! (JR)

I had a couple of reservations about the 2021 Verso de Haut-Batailley from barrel, and I'm still not completely convinced in bottle. The nose just lacks a bit of fruité and seems a bit stilted compared to the Grand Vin. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, slightly chalky tannins, fresh and saline, though it needs a little more depth on the finish.

Medium-bodied, floral, fresh, and fruity with forward approach, this early-drinking Pauillac is ready-to-drink, so you can enjoy all of its upfront red fruits with ease on release. Drink from 2024-2031.

Strong ruby core, purple reflections, subtle ochre on the rim. Fresh red cherries, a hint of cranberries and a touch of fresh figs. Light-bodied, red fruit nuances with discreet tannins and hints of nougat on the finish. A generous companion with food.

Mostly Merlot, the 2021 Château Haut-Batailley Verso has a medium-bodied, elegant, nicely balanced profile as well as a darker, almost cassis edge to its fruit, notes of leather and spicy oak, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. It's another impeccably made wine from this team that has tons to love. It should shine for 10-15 years.

Sweet cedar, grilled sandalwood and vanilla bean, oak influence clear even though only 15% new barrels used for ageing. This has been extremely well handled, fine tannins, well balanced, juicy finish, not huge appellation typicity but an enjoyable wine majoring on red fruits. Almost 19 hectares of new plantings, meaning lots of young vines. 3.62ph. First vintage with the new plantings. An upscore.

A blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Verso from Haut-Batailley has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It features vibrant scents of juicy raspberries and wild strawberries, followed by touches of wild thyme, wet slate, and black olives. The light to medium-bodied palate has well-managed, approachable tannins and a racy line supporting the youthful red berry flavors, finishing on a fragrant, herbal note.

A very lovely fresh bouquet, fruity (red fruits, raspberry) and rustic. On the palate, after a rather aggressive attack, the wine softens but remains concentrated, spicy and dense. The finish turns creamy and brings balance to the whole.

Fruity wine with a perfumed, savoury palate, full of flavour and structure with a hint of liveliness in the finish. Medium length. Blend: 65% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon. Alcohol content: 13°21 – pH: 3.62 – IPT: 70.