France · Bordeaux

Chateau Batailley

Château Batailley is a 5ème Cru Classé in Pauillac, with a 60-hectare vineyard planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The estate has been owned by the Borie family since 1932 — specifically by the Castéja branch, as the property split from sister estate Haut-Batailley in that year. Batailley's vineyard sits on the plateau de Batailley, away from the prestigious riverfront gravel banks, producing wines of notable consistency but without the top-tier complexity of nearby first and second growths. At auction, the estate averages $118 per bottle across 168 lots — notably elevated for a 5th growth, reflecting its reputation for reliability and traditional Pauillac character. The price range spans from approximately $40 for modest vintages up toward several hundred dollars for the 1982, 1986, and 1989 vintages. Batailley has long been considered one of the overperformers of its classification, delivering Pauillac typicity — cedar, blackcurrant, cigar box — at prices below more famous neighbors. Wine critics have consistently praised the 2016 and 2018 as among the estate's modern-era finest, with scores in the 93–96 range from major publications. The second wine, Pauillac de Batailley, trades at significant discount but offers genuine appellation character. Batailley remains a collectors' value play: true Pauillac structure and aging potential at 5th growth prices.