Château Batailley 1996

Château Batailley is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc, its name derived from the "Battle" took place on this ground in 1453 during the Hundred Years' War, effectively reclaiming the region for France. The wine produced here has always been a reflection of this history: sturdy, resilient, and unapologetically traditional. The 1996 vintage is a classic example of this "old school" style.

1996 was a year that favored the Cabernet Sauvignon grape immensely, producing wines with high acidity and firm tannins—wines built for the very long haul. Batailley, which was never one to chase modern trends of over-ripeness, produced a wine that was austere in its youth but has now blossomed into a beautiful expression of mature Claret.

Drinking Batailley 1996 today is an education in patience. The primary fruit has faded, replaced by the glorious "tertiary" aromas of pencil shavings, tobacco, and wet earth. It is a savory, intellectual wine that demands food to show its best. It is the taste of a bygone era, a "Lion in Winter" that still commands respect.