2010 Château BATAILLEY, 5me Cru Classé. Pauillac, Bordeaux (Magnum)

Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 3% and Petit Verdot 2%; 18 months maturation in oak barriques (50% new).

“The 60 hectare Bordeaux vineyard of Chateau Batailley has 57 hectares under vine. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel, clay and sandy soils. There is more clay and sandstone below the surface. Located inland, off the D1, the vineyard is close to the southern end of Pauillac. The majority of the vineyard is close to, and in front of the chateau, not far from the D1. The vineyards have good elevations, with much of the land rising up to 27 meters at its high-points. It is at the peak elevation, which is where you find their best terroir” www.thewinecellarinsider.com.

Lovely balance between the traditional, rather dry style of a property like Batailley, and the sheer class of the 2010 vintage.