1966 Batailley
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Tasting notes
Tasted at the Académie du Vin, the 1966 Batailley has a similar bouquet to the bottle encountered back in 2011, with scorched leather and cigar box aromas infusing the black fruit. This example had a touch of tarriness. The palate is medium-bodied and foursquare, stocky and broad-shouldered without the finesse that you find on the best examples of the 1961. Nevertheless, there is commendable depth given its age—irony in character with veins of dried orange peel lacing the finish that admittedly feels abrupt. Drink soon if you still own any bottles. Tasted April 2016.
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Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Tasted at the Academie du Vin, the 1966 Batailley has a similar bouquet to the bottle encountered back in 2011, with scorched leather and cigar box aromas infusing the black fruit. This example had a touch of tarriness. The palate is medium-bodied and foursquare, stocky and broad-shouldered without the finesse that you find on the best examples of the 1961. Nevertheless, there is commendable depth given its age—irony in character with veins of dried orange peel lacing the finish that admittedly feels abrupt. Drink soon if you still own any bottles. Tasted April 2016. Jun 2017, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
It was on the site of Batailley in 1453 that one of the final battles (or “batailles”) of the Hundred Years’ War took place. Today owned by the Castéja family, the Fifth Growth is renowned for producing wine that is the epitome of classic Claret.