Château Haut-Batailley vineyards, bordeaux
Château Haut-Batailley vineyards. The estate was bought by the owners of Pauillac neighbour Lynch-Bages in 2017, but the price was not disclosed.
(Image credit: Haut-Batailley)

Château Haut-Batailley has issued an apparent statement of intent under new ownership by releasing its 2017 wine at a significantly higher price than its previous en primeur release, the 2015 vintage.

Château Haut-Batailley released its 2017 wine in this year’s Bordeaux en primeur campaign at 42 euros per bottle ex-Bordeaux, up by 46% on the equivalent 2015 vintage release, which first emerged at 28.8 euros per bottle.

The 2015 was itself released at a 33% higher price than the 2014, but the 2017 hike will be seen as a re-positioning of the estate following its acquisition last year by the Cazes family, of Château Lynch-Bages.

Haut-Batailley’s 2016 vintage was not released en primeur, due to the timing of the acquisition.

Jane Anson rated Haut-Batailley 2017 at 92 points and described it as ‘rich and deep’ and showing ‘real promise’.

She also noted that ‘we can expect big changes [at the estate] over the next few years with an extensive replanting programme planned’.

See Jane’s full note on Haut-Batailley 2017

Haut-Batailley joins several estates to release early in the annual primeur campaign, including Château Palmer, Valandraud and Coutet. Palmer cut its price by 20% versus 2016.

Farr Vintners was today (25 April) selling Haut-Batailley 2017 for £248 per six bottles in bond, with Berry Bros & Rudd offering the same amount for £249, or three magnums for £255, also in bond.

‘Collectors of this estate might alternatively find buying opportunities in the newly bottled 2015,’ said Liv-ex analysts.

Wine Lister said that trade confidence in Haut Batailley had risen in the past year.

‘A price increase of 46% on the 2015 release, putting the 2017 well above any vintage currently in the market, sends a strong message that Haut-Batailley’s new owners, the Cazes family, have big plans for the brand,’ Lister said.

For a sense of comparison, Haut-Batailley 2015, which was recently bottled, had a retail price of £550 per 12 bottles on Millesima UK this week, while Fine & Rare Marketplace was offering 12 bottles for £375, also at retail price.

In the US, the 2015 wine was $49.99 per bottle in bond on Wine.com.

Search all Bordeaux 2017 ratings and tasting notes published so far on Decanter Premium

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.