Haut Batailley Verso 2018, Pauillac AOC (2nd label of Chateau Haut Batailley) (750ml)

Country/ Region:
Bordeaux, France

Background:
Haut-Batailley Verso is the accessible, earlier-drinking second wine of the 5th Growth Château Haut-Batailley in the Pauillac appellation. First launched in 2017, it offers the classic, structured elegance of a Left Bank Bordeaux but is crafted to be more approachable in its youth.

Winemaking:
Grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure a bright and vibrant fruit profile. The sorted, destemmed berries are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Fermentation is kept at lower temperatures (never exceeding 28°C) to preserve freshness and aromatic purity.
Verso is then aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels. Unlike the grand vin, it typically uses a lower proportion of new oak (around 30-40%) alongside older, once-used barrels to ensure the oak is fully integrated without overpowering the wine's bright fruit characteristics.

Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot

Tasting note:
The 2018 Château Haut-Batailley Verso has a complex, nuanced, approachable style with classic Pauillac dark fruits, tobacco, lead pencil, and earthy aromas and flavors. Gorgeously fruited, succulent, and seamless

Food Pairing:
Pair it with rich, umami-driven red meats or aged hard cheese to complement its structure.

Scores:
James Suckling: 92/100 – Praised for its complex, approachable style with classic Pauillac aromas of dark fruits, tobacco, and lead pencil.
Wine Cellar Insider (Jeff Leve): 90-92/100 – Highlighted its soft, crisp, and medium-bodied profile with juicy currants.
CellarTracker: 88-91/100 – , Drinkers enjoying its velvety, forward, and well-balanced fruit character paired with classic graphite and earthy notes.

Award:
N/A