Bordeaux

 Old vintages lying safely in Batailley's cellar 

Here are the tasting notes for wines from various properties in Bordeaux and other regions.

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2002 D'AIGUILHE: Aromatic with ripe fruit. It is well-balanced and has a nice length on the palate. It needs time to get around and be charming. To enjoy in few years. 88p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.

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2002 BASTOR LAMONTAGNE: Fine botrytis, quite light with good acidity to support fruit, attractive and very enjoyable. 88p. Tasted in August 2005.

2001 BASTOR LAMONTAGNE: It's a perfect example of this vintage's fantastic offering with classic style, fabulous botrytis, a lot of nuances and a long aftertaste. This wine makes me scream and jump with pure joy. Well-deserved 92p. Tasted in September 2004.

1929 BASTOR LAMONTAGNE: This wine showed a great nose of almonds and marzipan. What an intense and sophisticated touch! There is still fantastic acidity and lively fruit on the palate, fantastic length, and an aftertaste lasting more than one minute. Heaven! 98p. Tasted in April 2011.

2001 BEAUREGARD: Aromatic, well packed with ripe raspberries and tannin, luscious, and with a splendid structure. Fine aftertaste. 89p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.

2000 BEAUREGARD: Nice fruit and a bit light. Yield per ha at Beauregard was relatively high in 2000. Still a good wine, not exciting but correctly made. 88p. Tasted in May 2012.

2002 BEAU-SÉJOUR BECOT: Identical description and score as for 1999. Tasted in September 2003.

1999 BEAU-SÉJOUR BECOT: Aromatic and full-bodied, delicate complexity and structure. 91p. Tasted in September 2004.

2000 BRANE CANTENAC: A stunning example of what this vintage was capable of producing! It is a powerful wine with intense and aromatic blueberries and, black cherries, a lot of truffles. Strong backbone a rich and complex wine with a long finish. 94p. Tasted in May 2012.

2002 BRANAIRE: Catchy roundness and charm. It drinks very well already. 89-90p. Tasted in August 2006.

2001 BRANAIRE: Delicious, juicy, tight structure, full-bodied with aromatic and tasty berries. Wonderfully balanced, so it'll keep for 10-15 more years. It's pure class. 93p. Tasted in August 2005.

1999 BRANAIRE: On the elegant side. Round, pleasant and enjoyable wine. It makes good friends with you. 88p. Tasted in September 2004.

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1955 CALON (Montagne-Saint-Emilion): Bought 11 years ago at the property for app. 40 €, so this wine was kept in Calon cellar for 47 years and 11 years in mine. The stand was A/B, the cork fragile, but the smell of the wine from the bottle promised well. I have to say this wine was a revelation with an excellent cherry aroma, silky fruit, well-structured, velvety texture and fine balance, elegance and grace. Not a powerful wine but very enchanting and vivid with no sign of getting too old. 92p. Tasted in December 2012. Tasted again in March 2015 - older and not so impressive. 89p.

2002 CAMENSAC: Very similar to TNs concerning 1999 vintage. 87p. Tasted in September 2010.

2001 CAMENSAC: Slightly less concentrated and less well structured than 1999, A bit rustic and edgy for the moment. 86p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2009. Consistent notes.

1999 CAMENSAC: Nice mature wine, delightfully tasty and perfect for drinking now. 87p. Tasted in September 2007.

2002 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: Charming, fine and tasty fruit, good structure. It will be ready soon for consumption. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

2001 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: More elegant and less intense version of 2000. A terrific bottle to share. 91p. Tasted in April 2009.

2000 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: Strong, powerful, lot of ripe and intense fruit, excellent structure, great balance, firm aftertaste. An awesome bottle to keep for additional 10-15 years. 94p. Tasted twice - last time in March 2012. Consistent notes.

1990 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: Impressive wine with truffles, stunning balance, great structure and silky aftertaste. Stupendous wine. 93p. Tasted in March 2012.

1950 CANON-LA-GAFFELIERE: Stunning old wine, still very vivid and alive, with truffles, excellent balance and a velvety aftertaste. This was a fabulous treat, thanks to Count Neipperg! 96p. Tasted in April 2009.

2001 CANTEMERLE: Superbly aromatic, splendid structure and extremely tasty. It is a real crowd-pleaser and an amazing wine for the vintage. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.

1962 CARBONNIEUX (white): A Bordeaux wine with such fire, energy, body and taste, that I thought it was a lie. It was a great surprise and once again crystal clear proof that white Bordeaux can age as good as white Burgundy or even better. Formidable wine. 94p. Tasted in December 2007.

2002 CHASSE SPLEEN: Black fruit on the nose, full-bodied. Long lingering taste and well-balanced on the palate. Impressive wine. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2009. Consistent notes.

1999 CHASSE SPLEEN: Aromatic, round, nice fruit, tasty, pleasant and enjoyable. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.

1996 CHASSE SPLEEN: This one is splendid. Delicious with many concentrated and ripe blackcurrants, delicious, great complexity and impeccably structured. One to keep for another 10-15 years. 92p. Tasted in August 2005.

2002 LA CLEMENCE: Elegant wine, full of sweet fruit and truffles, luscious, tasty and with a lingering aftertaste. It provides much pleasure. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.

2001 LA CLEMENCE: Fat and succulent wine, full of sweet fruit and truffles. Deep, well-structured, long and nuanced. Stunning wine. 93p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

1999 LA CLEMENCE – far beyond its peak with prunes and some dryness. 85p.

2002 CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE: Tasty fruit, good length and plenty of charm. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.

2001 CLOS FOURTET: A lot of finesse, sheer elegance, delicious and with a lingering aftertaste. It is a fine effort for the vintage. 89p. Tasted in September 2004.

1999 CLOS FOURTET: LIght but delightful wine with round and tasty fruit. Tasted in August 2005.

1998 CORBIN MICHOTTE: This wine has impressed me already from the barrel with a textbook nose of sweet cherries mixed with chocolate and cocoa powder and an incredibly balanced palate of luscious fruit, soft texture and round aftertaste. A classic Saint-Emilion wine made without modern technique gimmicks, not over-intellectual, is a beautiful example of how Right Bank wine should be. The aromas you get on the nose are alone worth all the money you pay for this wine!! It can easily keep for another 10 years. 92p. Tasted 5 times - last time in September 2009. Consistent notes.

1966 CORBIN MICHOTTE: It started very light on the nose and palate, and it'd make a well-aged light red colour. Soon it began to gain everywhere, and after one hour, we had a beautifully scented wine with well-preserved cherry fruit, extremely well-balanced, with great depth and length, lingering and soft aftertaste. Very precisely made wine in the traditional Bordeaux way. Stunning 45 years old wine with several more years to go. 94p.

1998 COUTET: Delicate, smooth, fine balance between botrytised flavours (melon, mango and pear) and acidity. Very elegant and tasty. 90p. Tasted in September 2009.

1906 COUTET: 100 years old wine and a wonderful reminder of one of the best vintages ever in Sauternes & Barsac. Still very much alive, and what heavenly stuff. 96p. Tasted in April 2006.

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2002 DESTIEUX: Soft, approachable wine with delicate and luscious fruit, round and very pleasant to drink. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2006. Consistent notes.

2001 DESTIEUX: Reminds a lot of 2004, with softer tannins and more approachable. It's an excellent quality here. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.

1995 DESTIEUX: Almost ready to drink with slightly dry tannin and warm fruit. 86p. Tasted in September 2004.

2002 DURFORT VIVENS: A pretty and charming wine with excellent balance, fine complexity and elegance. 89p. Tasted in September 2003.

2001 DURFORT VIVENS: Nice, round, a bit light wine with slightly jammy fruit. The maturing phase of this wine has been swift! 86p. Tasted in August 2006.

1999 DURFORT VIVENS: Quite attractive and well-composed. Nice tasty fruit. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.

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1985 DE FIEUZAL: This vintage produced excellent white wines in Bordeaux, and de Fieuzal is one of them. Classy and refined wine with wonderful aromas of lemon, heather, and acacia. Fatty, full-bodied and impressive wine, which would do any fish dish great honour. 21 years old white Bordeaux, and what a beautiful one. 94p. Tasted in December 2006.

2002 FERRIERE: Delicate, sweet fruit, fine structure and well-balanced. It is a pretty wine which can be enjoyed with a big smile. It makes friends very quickly. 90p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

2001 FERRIERE: Delicate, sweet fruit, light and elegant. It's a bit dry on the palate. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.

2001 LES FIEFS DE LAGRANGE: Delicious, elegant and very charming. Delightful and uncomplicated wine. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.

1967 LA FLEUR PETRUS: A bit of surprise, really. This vintage is normally deadwood in red, but this wine provides quite a reasonable drinking with nice truffles and tasty raspberries. Not bad at all, and absolutely not the one calling for the priest! 87p. Tasted in June 2008.

2002 FOMBRAUGE red: Confirms with a bang that 2002 vintage isn't as bad as some critics want us to believe. Powerful with ripe (!) and tasty fruit, splendidly composed and balanced, long aftertaste. Surprised by its splendid performance, and what a catch. Drink it with wild meat or beef. 92p. Tasted in November 2009.

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2000 LE GAY: Lots of blackberries and blueberries, truffles, very concentrated, full-bodied and well-composed. Splendid effort for the vintage. 92p. Tasted in October 2007.

1999 GAZIN - Charming, light, round wine, tasty and ready to drink now. 86p. Tasted in September 2010.

1995 GAZIN - Truffles, round, silky fruit and tannins, very tasty, round and smooth on the aftertaste. Delightful bottle to drink now. 91p. Tasted twice - last time in May 2011.

1989 GAZIN - like 1995. 91p. Tasted in April 2009.

2002 GISCOURS: Well-composed with a lot of character. Luscious, ripe fruit, well-balanced and strong finish. Keep it for additional 6-8 years. 89p. Tasted three times - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

2001 GISCOURS: This wine had a fabulous aromatic nose, and it was full-bodied, incredibly well-composed, with luscious fruit and a lot of potential. This was a real heartbreaker wine of stunning quality. 93p. Tasted twice - last time in March 2009. Consistent notes.

2000 GISCOURS: It is a dense and robust wine with perfectly ripe, fat and creamy fruit (cherries, blackberries and blueberries). Outstanding balance and structure, immensely refined and with splendid depth and length. A delicacy with a vengeance! This wine is extremely well made and clearly showed what Giscours could achieve. One to keep for 25 years or more. 95p. Tasted twice - last time in March 2009. Consistent notes.

1999 GISCOURS: It reminded me in some way of vintage 1997, but with significantly more concentration and body and better structure. This was a really nice wine for the vintage and very round and approachable. It will stay like that until 2010. 89p. Tasted in September 2003.

1998 GISCOURS: Similar a lot to 2002 concerning the style. The fruit had, however, more sweetness in 1998, and there were more weight and length. Splendid wine, which Can be kept for 10 more years. 90p. Tasted in September 2003.

1997 GISCOURS: The efforts of the new owner did pay off. This wine had an unresistible charm with a captivating appeal, silky tannins and round shapes. It went down the throat very smoothly and left you with much pleasure. Definitely a great success for the vintage. It's already drinkable and will stay like that until 2009. 88p. Tasted in September 2003.

1996 GISCOURS: Made before the new owner cleaned out completely in the vineyard and cellars. Jammy and quite forward in a maturing phase. The nice sweetness of fruit and length, but this wine lacks both depth and concentration. Quite disappointing for this classic vintage in Bordeaux. Ready to drink. 84p. Tasted in September 2003.

1999 GRAND PUY LACOSTE: A lighter version of 1998, round, charming and already drinkable. 86p. Tasted in September 2010.

1998 GRAND PUY LACOSTE: Fine wine, not quite ready yet. Tasty blackcurrants, delicate balance and depth. One to enjoy in the next 6-8 years. 88p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.

1926 GRUAUD LAROSE: Double magnum bottle. Superb wine, still very much alive, fine length and sweet truffy finish. 94p. Tasted in April 2010.

1918 GRUAUD LAROSE: Magnum bottle. More rustic and not that sweet in fruit. Still a remarkable bottle. 91p. Tasted in April 2010.

2002 GUIRAUD: Exquisite wine with nice botrytis, good acidity, mango and acacia honey flavours. Very enjoyable to drink now. 89p. Tasted in September 2007.

2001 LA GURGUE: It's earthy on the palate with some rough edges, reasonable fruit and a nice finish. It needs time to come around. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.

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2002 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: Prunes and cherries, full-bodied wine with great intensity of delicious berries. Rich and with a long aftertaste. Stunning wine for the vintage. 92p. Tasted in September 2003.

2001 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: This is another story. It is a really classy wine with ripe berries, ripe tannin, fine balance, and a lingering aftertaste. It thoroughly deserves 91p. I tasted it twice, the last time in August 2006. The notes are consistent.

1999 HAUT BAGES LIBERAL: Deliciously round and charming, finesse. Tastes really nice. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.

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2001 LABEGORCE: Round, pleasant, lovely fruit, fine length and aftertaste. It is delightful now and for the next 3-4 years. 87p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2009. Consistent notes.

1999 LABEGORCE: Round, pleasant, nice fruit, fine length and aftertaste. Very enjoyable now and for the next 3-4 years. 87p. Tasted in August 2005.

2002 LABEGORCE ZEDE: Succulent, robust and quite strong. Not quite a typical wine for Margaux, but well made and in fine balance. 88-89p. Tasted in September 2004.

2002 LAGRANGE: Lot of elegance and finesse, tasty dark berries, superb structure and long finish. It's a real steal for the money. 90p. Tasted in November 2007.

2001 LAGRANGE: Classic St.Julien wine with a lot of elegance and finesse, ripe red fruit, superb structure and long finish. 87-91p? Tasted twice - last time in November 2007. Not consistent notes.

2000 LAGRANGE: This wine had a lot of black cherries, blueberries and blackberries. This aromatic paradise of fruit showed how fantastically Merlot did in 2000. Very concentrated and impeccably balanced on the palate with solid fat tannin and plenty of cherries and blackcurrants. Long aftertaste. A killer wine. 94p. Tasted in November 2007.

1998 LAGRANGE: Very much like 2002 Lagrange. Aromatic, elegant and tasty. Perfect for drinking today. 89p. Tasted in November 2007.

1996 LAGRANGE: This was a massive wine with a very pronounced C.Sauvignon (mint and tobacco leaves) character, strong, dense and intense palate with stunning balance and persistent aftertaste. 93p. Tasted in November 2007.

1995 LAGRANGE: It resembled a lot of 1996 but with less power and concentration. But once again, great value for the money here. 90p. Tasted in November 2007.

1990 LAGRANGE: This wine appeared not as stunning as I expected. Maybe the bottle I had wasn't in perfect condition. Anyway, it turned out a very complex, dense and deep wine with quite jammy flavours. 89p. Tasted in November 2007.

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2000 MALARTIC LA GRAVIERE: Very sensual wine with truffles, striking elegance and finesse, perfectly ripe fruit, great balance, depth and length. Great wine for the vintage, and it can keep for 15-20 years more. 93p. Tasted in May 2012.

2002 MALESCASSE: Light, supple, round and pleasant wine with nice fruit and reasonable length. Useful. 86p. Tasted in September 2004.

2001 MALESCASSE: Better in terms of ripeness of the fruit than 2002. More concentration here. 87p. Tasted in September 2004.

2001 LA MONDOTTE: Very intense, multidimensional, subtle with great depth, a lot of nuances, very long finish. Fabulous wine. 94p. Tasted in March 2012.

2000 LA MONDOTTE: Truffles all over, impressive intensity, richness and length. Exceptional wine. 96p. Tasted in April 2012

1998 LA MONDOTTE: Like 2001 but with more concentration and depth here. 95p. Magnifique effort. Tasted in March 2012.

2001 MONTVIEL: The change of winemaker made this wine very good. It has very aromatic, fresh flavours, the scent of truffles, and is elegant with fine structure and length. It is 88p. It was tasted in October 2007.

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2022 Pezat Le Reve Rose Cotes de Provence: This is the second vintage of this wine, made from grapes grown in Southeast France. It displays flavors of freshly sliced pineapple, raspberries, and spicy dried herbs on the nose and palate. The acidity is well-pronounced. It has a smooth and refreshing finish. Enjoy it well-chilled on a hot summer day! 87p.

2023 Pezat Rose: This is a wine from Cotes de Provence. The blend is 70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 10% Rolle. It is perfumed on the nose with morello cherries, white flowers, and spicy dried herbs. The palate offers freshness and crispiness, and the spices are well tackled by nice acidity. It is a tasteful wine with a refreshing aftertaste. It is a perfect summer wine to enjoy with grilled dishes and tapas. The price per bottle is under 15 Euros! 87p.

2022 Pezat Rose Cotes de Provence: This wine is similar to the 2023 version but has a more exotic flavor profile, with notes of pineapple and grapefruit. It is equally well-made and a perfect summer wine! 87p.

2023 Pezat dry white: Grapes for this wine come from the parcels surrounding Nardian, Jonathan Maltus' top white wine estate, located in the village of Lugaignac, about 4 km from Maltus's home, Teyssier. It’s 63% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Semillon, and 14% Muscadelle, and it is vinified in stainless steel vats. It displays a fresh and fruity profile, featuring acacia flowers, lemon, and white peach notes. The palate is delightfully delicate, crisp, and lively, with acidity that complements the fruit beautifully. The aftertaste is lingering. It is a perfect choice to enjoy with tapas and fish dishes. 89p. 

2022 Pezat red: 92% Merlot + 8% Cabernet Franc. Grapes for this wine come from vineyards in Bordeaux Superieur appellation on Right Bank. It’s a well-crafted wine with freshness, ripe and crunchy cherries and raspberries, nice balance, silky tannin, discreet acidity, and a smooth, fruity finish. The aging process in partially new oak significantly contributes to the structure of the wine. Overall, it is of very good quality and pairs very well with grilled and cooked meat dishes. 89p.

2002 POUJEAUX: Delicate and aromatic nose, light but very charming, round and attractive on the palate with tasty and luscious fruit. It's a delightful wine now. 88p. Tasted in August 2006.

1999 POUJEAUX: Delicate, light, but very charming and attractive. Tasty fruit. Drinks very well already and will do that for another 5-7 years. 86p. Tasted in August 2005.

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2001 RAUZAN SEGLA: Aromatic with fragrances of red fruit, elegant with soft tannins and a round finish. Pretty tasty wine. 90p. Tasted in June 2007.

2000 RAUZAN SEGLA: Dark red. The very dense aroma of blueberries and blackberries on the nose. Really intense. The highly concentrated, delicate balance and long aftertaste. Superb structure and great depth. A great effort in a great vintage. 94p. Tasted in June 2007.

1996 RAUZAN SEGLA: Robust and strong, well-concentrated. Very much Cabernet Sauvignon wine, with exquisite structure and long life. Splendid. 93p. Tasted in June 2007.

1989 RAUZAN SEGLA: Still young, sappy, fine structure, length and aftertaste. This wine's splendid balance and long finish make it quite a nice treat. 90p. Tasted in June 2007.

2001 RIEUSSEC: Incredibly expressive botrytis on the nose, spicy sugar, a lot of alcohol, full-bodied with the breed, spicy acacia honey, créme brulée. Very long aftertaste. It will keep for many years due to a perfect interplay between the stunning sweetness and just as lovely acidity. 96p. Tasted in July 2005.

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2002 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE red: Elegant and well-made wine offers aromatic and tasty berries, nice smooth tannin and a fine balance. It's a fine wine for the vintage. 90p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

2001 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE red: Powerful, and well-made wine offers aromatic and tasty berries, nice smooth tannin and a delicate balance. This wine is a joy to drink. 89p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2004. Consistent notes.

2001 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE white: Incredibly aromatic, with extremely catching sweetness and roundness. Powerful with splendid acidity and long aftertaste. Delicious. 93p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2004. Consistent notes.

2000 SMITH HAUT LAFITTE white: This wine was aromatic with pure elegance and great length on the palate, tasty with splendid structure and depth. It's an extremely fine effort for the vintage and one to keep for 8-12 years. 91p. Tasted in September 2007.

2002 SUDUIRAUT: Fine botrytis and sweetness. Very honeyed and refined. Not as powerful as 2001 and 2003, but a splendidly crafted wine. 90p. Tasted three times - last time in September 2007. Consistent notes.

1999 SUDUIRAUT: Fine botrytis, much finesse, and balance. Very honeyed and tastes deliciously of apricots. 91p. Tasted twice - last time in March 2010.

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2002 DU TERTRE: It provided aromatic and tasty berries and good length on the palate. 87p. Tasted twice - last time in August 2005. Consistent notes.

2001 DU TERTRE: Aromatic, sophisticated, and seductive. It was a very classy and classic wine that continued its refined form. It thoroughly deserves 92p. Tasted twice - last time in September 2004. Consistent notes.

2000 DU TERTRE: This wine is a real catch for all the money! Dense, superbly concentrated, perfectly ripe blackcurrants, cherries and blackberries, silky tannins, incredibly much finesse and refinement. Very long on the palate. It tasted like a dream. Simply a great wine, which probably is du Tertre's best vintage. It will easily keep until 2025. 92p. Tasted twice - last time in March 2009. Consistent notes.

1999 DU TERTRE: This was a lighter version of 1998, which with its very fruity, charming and round attitude, will quickly win new friends. It was a pleasure to drink, but this wine can stay like that for another 5-7 years. 87p. Tasted in September 2003.

1998 DU TERTRE: Striking style here compared with 1997 with much more sweetness, concentration and length. This wine was highly captivating, with delicious blackcurrants and blackberries, splendid balance and exemplary structure. It is an excellent wine to enjoy now and in the next 6-10 years. Well-deserved 91p. Tasted in September 2003.

1997 DU TERTRE: The new owner tried without any luck to convince the previous owner that late harvesting would benefit the wine. That's why du Tertre in this vintage is well charming, elegant, and with tasty fruit, but also light and slightly four-squared. It's ready to drink but can keep all the ingredients together in a couple more years. 85p. Tasted in September 2003.

1996 DU TERTRE: Very aromatic on the nose with ripe and delicate fruit. A deep and elegant wine with a concentrated and plump taste, backbone and good length. Harmonious and very flattering wine. It lacked a bit more depth and length to be stunning. Delicious now and in the next 5-8 years. 90p. Tasted in September 2003.

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1953 VIEUX CHATEAU CERTAN: Wow, what an incredible intensity of truffles on the nose. There are lots of truffles, fantastic balance, refinement, and depth on the palate. It had a fantastic finish, too. 58-year-old wine, and what a class act! Unforgettable one. 99p. Tasted in November 2011.

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