The 2006 Château Batailley has much more fruit intensity on the nose compared to Lynch Moussas: vibrant blackberry, raspberry coulis and cedar scents all vying for attention, the oak neatly assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe red berry fruit, a gentle grip in the mouth and a pleasing, ferrous finish. Give this another 2-3 years in bottle and you will have yourself a very fine Batailley. (NM)

Batailley 2006 has been mainly about tannin from its earliest stages, and this has not yet changed. What has changed is that the tannin isn't by itself any more: black plum fruit is now giving some richness. It does need to age, but the elegance and the balance are coming. (RV)