1994 Pauilliac, Chateau Haut Batailley

The 1994 Pauillac from Château Haut-Batailley is a fine, mature Bordeaux from one of the Médoc’s most respected Fifth Growth estates. Situated at the southern edge of Pauillac, near the border with Saint-Julien, Haut-Batailley is known for its classic, restrained style and gravel-rich soils ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1994, the growing season was uneven—cool early on with a wet harvest—but the best producers, like Haut-Batailley, managed to craft structured, age-worthy wines through strict selection and careful winemaking.

Now with over 30 years of bottle age, this wine has moved into its tertiary phase. Expect notes of dried blackcurrant, cigar box, leather, and earthy truffle, underpinned by gentle acidity and fine, dusty tannins. There’s a lovely sense of faded grandeur—refined, savoury, and built for reflection rather than impact.

Pair it with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, mushroom Wellington, or a wedge of Comté. It’s an old-school claret with poise, perfect for a quiet, candlelit dinner.