Haut Batailley 1995

Following my previous encounter with the 1995 Haut Batailley, I was optimistic about its maturation in bottle. When François-Xavier Borie poured an example following a vertical at Grand Puy-Lacoste…well, that view was vindicated. This is perhaps an unheralded wine of a strong vintage. It has a generous bouquet with vibrant red berry fruit that cocks a snook at the 2000 Haut Batailley that was poured alongside. Mulberry and leather at first, undergrowth emerging with time. The palate might be a little smudged on the entry but there is impressive weight and concentration, superb balance and real structure on the finish to suggest that it will give 20+ years of pleasure.