The owner of REIGNAC, Yves Vatelot, fashioned this special cuvee of 100% Merlot, fermented in new French oak barrels according to Mr Vatelot’s patented method. BALTHVS represents the perfect blend of an immense terroir, tiny yields and passionate proprietor.
Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot decided to plant 3 ha of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris on a specially chosen terroir consisting of big polished gravels.
Château de REIGNAC, our second wine, represents an impressive balance of delicacy and bright fruitiness. Its quality is awarded every year with multiple gold medals.
Château de REIGNAC presents you its brand new wine, the R de REIGNAC ! It has been aged in vats for 9 months and we have bottled it at the moment when all the harmonies vibrate in unison for the alaboration of a perfect wine. Our challenge : to make a terroir wine made from a very large proportion of Cabernet Franc with the greatest respect for the fruit.
The two best terroir of the Right Bank (clay-chalky rise) and the Left Bank (clay-gravel rise) of Bordeaux are united in our premium wine, the Grand Vin de REIGNAC. The eulogistic comments of the international press and its exceptional performances during blind tastings classify REIGNAC among the most prestigious wines in the world, offering you the best price-pleasure ratio.
The owner of REIGNAC, Yves Vatelot, fashioned this special cuvee of 100% Merlot, fermented in new French oak barrels according to Mr Vatelot’s patented method. BALTHVS represents the perfect blend of an immense terroir, tiny yields and passionate proprietor.
Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot decided to plant 3 ha of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris on a specially chosen terroir consisting of big polished gravels.
The success of Château de Reignac 2022 white wine lies not in favorable weather, but in the harmony of terroir and expert winemaking. High temperatures and sweltering heat are not ideal for early-ripening Sauvignon Blanc, as any misstep can lead to diminished fruitiness. Yet, this wine adeptly balances between “ice and fire,” exuding a warm and inviting character through its sweet pear, refreshing papaya, and crystallized sugar flavors. Although 2021 was a “banner year” for Bordeaux white wines, I find Château de Reignac 2022 to be even more exceptional. 92/100
OUTSTANDING Bright light golden colour. Fine purity and intensity with mild oak, fresh butter, and hazelnut blended with ripe citrus and yellow fruit. The palate shows good concentration and depth, rich and ripe, yet finely tuned by a ripe acidity and fine extract, good intensity and persistency, substantial and layered with great persistency. 94/100
Clean and racy with crisp acidity and sleek texture. Lemon pith and crushed stones with a touch of white flowers. 92/100
Bright yellow colour with green hue. Refined nose with elegant fruit, hints of grapefruit, Mirabelle and pear, discreet hint of vanilla in the back ground. On the palate medium bodied with good length, restrained fruit, fine acidity and hints of minerality lingering in the aftertaste.
The REIGNAC white 2021 has a fresh lime and citrus peel nose. The palate is vibrant suggesting orchard fruit and light ginger notes and delivering good weight on the finish, which live a persistent, tangy aftertaste Delicious!
This property is perhaps best known for its red Grand Vin, but in this vintage technical director Nicolas Lesaint has also turned out a very smart white. This has an intense nose of lime zest, melon and cardamom, with a suggestion of powdered minerals. The palate is supple, lightly creamed, with delicious citrus, melon and pear fruits, as well as a fine grain of chalky minerals, and super acidity. This is a delicious white Bordeaux which is going to give a lot of pleasure. Top work.
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours de Bordeaux
Gold Medal Concours International de Lyon
Gold Medal “Challenge des Vins de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 2017″
“Structured, with notes of liquorice and spices, a lot of body and a very long finish.”
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
“This wine may serve as an example for many Bordeaux”
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours de Bordeaux
Gold Medal Concours International de Lyon
“I really appreciated their Bordeaux Superieur. This wine has a very good structure and strong aromatic presence, firm and ripe tannins, the wine is rich in colour and body”
Their Favourite
“Very intense colour, the nose is extremely ripe, notes of toasted bread and almonds. On the palate this wine feels very smooth and rich at the same time; sublimely rich finish with jammy red fruits; firm tannins”
Their Favourite
“Purple colour, very ripe black fruits with a hint of smokiness. Very dense, rich and powerful wine, firm tannins and very long finish…a wine promising very good aging potential”
“Fresh, featuring raspberry and cherry notes, laced with sweet spice and licorice hints. This has a lightly firm, toasty edge on the finish”
“Cabernet franc. Des vignes de 30 ans. De la matière et de la gourmandise. Qui n’a pas vu de barrique.
L’R de Rien, ca se boit tout seul : il suffit d’avoir un verre. Un peu frais c’est carrément très bon. Mais le lendemain, moins frais et plus aéré, c’est toujours très joli. Gourmand et structuré, avec une jolie matière, c’est un beau vin de plaisir qui tiendra bien la Route, à table.”
“Vraiment très agréable et appètant avec une belle structure qui n’en fait pas qu’un vin de comptoir ou un vin simple, mais un joli jus étincelant de fruit et de tanins dynamiques offerts par la pureté du cépage, sans influence d’un élevage sophistiqué qui en amortirait la pétulance. Dans l’R du temps, également…”
“These are thirty of my favorite budget-friendly 2016s. The 2016 de REIGNAC is absolutely delicious. Bright, lifted and floral, the 2016 is distinctly red toned in this vintage, with striking purity of fruit and terrific overall balance. There is plenty of the texture and depth readers have come to expect from this over achieving Merlot-based blend, but with less heaviness than in the past. Michel Rolland consults.”
“Ruby. Dark berries, spices, anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, rounded, quite elegant texture, good length.”
“A solid red with dense fruit, yet one that’s tight and compacted. Firm and silky tannins. Bright acidity. Shows excellent potential.”
“Deep and quite rich on the nose but a bit austere on the palate. “
“Very powerful and chewy with blackberry and blueberry character. Full and chewy. Very tannic but should come around nicely.”
“Good freshness and trying so, so hard! Lots of concentration. Just slightly drying tannins on the end. “
“Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Smoky nose with pyrotechnical aroma and roasting aroma backed by blackberries and mulberries. On the palate well.”
“The 2015 REIGNAC has quite an intense blackcurrant and boysenberry-scented bouquet with touches of graphite coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, a little tough and raw on the entry, masculine with tobacco-stained black fruit leading to a square-jawed finish. I find this surprisingly brutish this year and hope it musters more finesse during its aging.”
“Lots of dark chocolate, blue berry and spice character. Full body, juicy finish.”
“Dark crisomn. Clear fresh cassis aroma, a little cedary. Like the Balthus, this tastes as if it has had quite firm extraction, the tannins are firm bur also thick. This is fresher than the Balthus, overall quite dark and savoury on the finish, a little bitter. A distinctive style and might come round to something more elegant but needs time. “
“The Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2014 is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, with scents of blackberry and raspberry coulis, a touch of cedar in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannin, a little dry in the mouth perhaps but with good backbone and persistence. It just needs the barrel aging to meld the component parts together–a gutsy Bordeaux Supérieur that should be worth seeking out once bottled.”
“Has a sappy feel, with plum skin, cassis and blackberry paste flavors. The toast is judicious and well-integrated already.”
“Black cherry juice. Beautiful structure. Solid and smooth. Great bottle. Black cherry juice, spices and violets. Beautiful wine, great wine! Tannins are still little firms.”
“Gourmet nose on black fruits, menthol and spices. Very pleasant mouth with a dense and velvety structure and a very expressive fresh fruit flavour. Great hedonistic final. This 2013 is a killer, a must !”
“This is a little hollow in the mid palate with some dark-fruit, chocolate and berry character.”
“Very nice fruit, silky and refined body, there is no bitterness on the finish, smooth flavour.”
“Beautiful nose of blackcurrant, good woody aromas, a lot of volume and body, nicely balanced; a seducer”
RECOMMENDED
“Good firm colour. Attractive nose, well placed fruits. This is high alcohol but manages to have balance, and proves yet again that Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot know what they are doing. Dark damson and blackcurrant fruits”
“The Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2012 is of a superb elegence, powerful and refined ; voluptuous, vigorous and destined for long aging”
THEIR FAVORITE
“On the nose: black fruit aromas, blackcurrant, vanilla. On the palate this 2012 is very ripe, dense, very fruity and with delicate woody aromas”
THEIR FAVORITE
“An archetype of a modern and opulent Bordeaux. Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2012 is complex and soft, less woody than the special cuvée BALTHVS. You should drink this wine in ten years and you may age it for twenty years”
“This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously endowed effort exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color as well as lots of toasty oak, graphite, black currant and barbecue smoke. It is a medium-bodied, impressively concentrated, well-balanced red. Reignac is the poster boy for over-achieving generic Bordeaux. Owned by a conscientious wine lover, Yves Vatelot, this estate, which has one of the most highly respected terroirs in Bordeaux, sits high on a hill on the Right Bank.”
“Which wine should we purchase if we could buy only one bottle during the Wine Fair in France 2014?”
There were 5 000 wines presented during the French Wine Fair and the Grand Vin de Reignac 2012 was the one that the French Revue on Wine chose as the best one if we had to buy only bottle!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“A regular in these tastings, always reliable, proving why we keep going back to big names, particularly in small appellations where there is so much variation. Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot have turned out an excellent quality 2011, full of cassis, damson, succulent dark fruits, some oak evident but tight and well handled, giving coffee-edged toast but not too sweet”
“Very well done for the vintage. A little light touch on extraction. Medium to full body, with a solid core of fruit
and a fresh finish. Polished for the appellation”
AN EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
“REIGNAC is always more concentrated, riper and complete than the other Bordeaux Superieur. Very savory. The aging is perfectly managed”
“2011 transcends the vintage with this rich wine. Very elegant tannins, beautuful and long finish, subtle oak”
“An astonishingly rich, concentrated 2011 that competes with cru classes selling for 2 to 5 times as much, it boasts a dense purple color along with copious aromas of new saddle leather, spice box, lead pencil shavings, black currants, blackberries and a hint of espresso. This fullbodied, surprisingly rich effort must be tasted to be believed. It should last and improve for at least 5-7 years, perhaps as long as a decade. As it has been in many previous vintages, the 2011 REIGNAC is a major sleeper of the vintage”
“From a blend of 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is deep in color, Tannins and slightly firm for this producer, the wine offers licorice, jammy black raspberry, coffee and pepper”
THEIR FAVORITE
“Perfectly balanced wine, revealing beautiful tasted, smoky and dried fruits aromas. This is an example of a “big wine”
“Extremely high level for the appellation. A guaranteed and adjusted technique value both terroir and wine. The nose of fruit and brioche bread associated with maturity and velvety texture remind of the best right bank wines”
“Chewy and rich with a long finish of toasted oak coffee and fruit. Ripe and rich tannins. Structured better than 2009.”
The exceptional selection
20 000 wines tasted, 500 selected, Note:17/20
“Beautiful aromas of blond tobacco, vanilla associated to nuances of a ripe fruit, without being stewed. This 2010 REIGNAC joins among the very big success of the vineyard, it will age with charm and elegance.”
“We will find the excellent 2010 – in our sense one of the best vintages produced to date. It is true that several blind tasting have proven the capacities of the Grand Vin de REIGNAC to compete with the elite of Bordeaux’s classified grand crus”
“Deep and fine, the Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2010 is among the best red tasted in this selection”
“An over-achieving generic Bordeaux, REIGNAC has turned out a real classic in this vintage. Opaque ruby/purple with notes of graphite, crushed rock, forest floor and black currants, this wine is medium to full-bodies, very rich“
“Deliciously ripe and very pure, with an invigorating beam of plum and cassis racing along, flecked with anise, violet and fruitcake hints. The brairy tug of grip on the finish is well-embedded. Drink now through 2017″
“This is really solid, with velvety layers of crushed plum and boysenberry nicely woven with sweet spice and warm cocoa. Broad but focused.”
“Very good REIGNAC with a big potential, exuberant nose of black fruits, gentle spice, elegant woody aromas. Very savory and well balanced wine”
“Great wine, powerful, with ripe fruit, nice woody aromas. A sure value for this appellation”
THEIR FAVORITE
“The vintage 2009 distances itself with its beautiful and strong personality. Deep body, delicate structure, elegance, sharp tannins…a voluptuous and ripe mouth feeling. With red berries, licorice and and coffee scents and flavours which go until the final”
“One of the strongest REIGNAC from proprietor Yves Vatelot, in 2009 this over-achieving estate has turned out a modern-styled Bordeaux with a viscous texture and notes of coffee bean, black currants, earth and vanillin in a delicious, front end-loaded, yet surprisingly deep, textured, full-bodied wine. It should drink nicely for 5-6 years, possibly even longer, although I am always skeptical of a generic Bordeaux that lasts much longer than a decade”
“Beautiful fruity nose of blackberries and coffee. Fat, with nicely integrated tannins. A really good REIGNAC. Finally, this wine may be even better than 2005…we’ll see”
“Very dark colour. Ripeness and concentration feature on the nose with notes of blackcurrant and sloe. Soft, velvety, full palate with savoury fruity quality. Oak influence imparts a slightly firmer tone on the finish without obscuring aromatic expression”
The wine selected for the 1st Class of Korean Airlines
“A beautifully made, perennial overachiever from proprietor Yves Vatelot, the 2008 REIGNAC was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare, enjoyed malolactic in barrel, and was aged on its lees for four months. The result is a beautiful blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. As good as the outstanding 2005, the 2008 transcends its appellation with its display of power, deep, dark fruits, spice box, and cedar. Pure and dense with ripe tannins as well as the vintage’s remarkable freshness and precision, it should drink well for 6-8 years”
“Deep bold crimson, cherry hue. The tinges show little development and the disk gleams. Nose: very delicate and charming. The first nose is slightly inexpressive, but it opens up after swirling on some black fruit aromas (blackberry). Palate: pure on the first taste, development on tannin and a slightly drying finish. Comments: a splendid wine, proof of the quality of this Appellation”
“Nose haute couture ! Dense and concentrated fruits, leather and toasted coffee. The wine feels dense and rich on the palate, a flavour of black plums, cassis and spices. Very long finish”
“Very pleasant, subtly floral, fruity and spicy, tender tennins and good freshness”
“Very dark and brigth purple, still young and rather closed nose but with a nice complexity, spicy, lightly smoky with wild berries, the palate has a very fine concentration, excellent dark fruit, well-balanced and refreshing tannins, still on the young side but very promising, splendid length with some spicy notes. The best REIGNAC I’ve ever tasted.”
“It is remarkable what Yves Vatelot can accomplish at this estate, which is only entitled to an Appellation Bordeaux Superieur designation. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the super-impressive 2006 boasts a dense purple color as well as a bouquet of sweet creme de cassis, spring flowers, toasty oak and background forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, richly fruity, and pure with an alluring texture as well as length”
“Blackberry and mineral aromas follow through to a medium body, with roud tannins and a simple finish. Best from 2010 through 2013″
“Ultra concentrated, rich and dense. This wine is of a magnificent youth. Its structure and its length are impressive.
A great potential”
Château Beychevelle – Château Brane Cantenac – Château Clerc Milon – Château Giscours- Château Gd Corbin Despagne – Château Dauzac – Château Larcis Ducasse – Château La Gomerie – Château Le Bon Pasteur – Château Phélan Ségur – Domaine de Chevalier- Château La Tour Carnet – Château Malartic Lagravière – Château Pape Clément
Andreas Larsson (Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Immense purple, almost opaque.
N : Quite discreet aromas of black fruits, leather, some hints of vanilla and oak.
P : Very full and structured with firm tannins, dark fruits, good freshness and fine length.”
Herve Pennequin (3rd Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Very deep purple.
N : Intense aromas of black fruit spices, cloves smokiness, black cherry.
P : Rich taste of earthiness, spices, toffee, very firm tannins, slightly dry, long
persistence good level of acidity.”
Teresa Perez (2nd Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Clean brilliant, high density, red bigarreau cherry with purple reflection
N : Forest fruit, red and blackcurrants and blueberry, vegetal notes, hint of
blackcurrant stalk, backdrop of coffee, high intensity bouquet..
P : Powerful attack well fleshed passage in mouth.”
The Hong Kong blind tasting of the Best Bordeaux and REIGNAC : Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2004 finished FIRST on this incredible blind tasting!
“A solidly-constructed, dense ruby/purple-hued effort, the 2004 offers up scents of black cherry liqueur, crème de cassis, lead pencil, and vanilla. Deep and medium-bodied with fresh acidity, moderate tannin, and a layered mouth feel, it could easily be confused with a top Medoc in a blind tasting. It should drink well for 7-10 years”
Herve Pennequin (3rd Best Sommelier of the World) : “Clear rim, medium intense. Smoky ham, spicy, leathery, intense black cherry, shows huge concentration. Attack quite straight, very masculine, tannins are racy, velvety, caressing, plenty of smoky flavours with cacao in finish”
Teresa Perez (2nd Best Sommelier of the World): Clean brilliant, medium density, intense, Bigarreau, cherry red. Ripe, red fruit, plum jam, hint of cacao, toasted wood, medium high intensity, very nice quality aromas. Light, silky tremendous elegance , well polished tannins and great integration of all elements, on aftertaste resurgence of jammy and smoky flavours, very good quality, excellent balance, very long deep persistence”
“A big, broadly-styled REIGNAC, with more alcohol than usual (about 13.5%), the deep ruby/purple-hued 2003 offers a big, smoky, chocolaty, black currant, licorice, and pain grille-scented bouquet. This broad, voluptuous, succulently-textured offering is more forward than most Reignacs”
The unbelievable blind tasting of the finest Bordeaux wines and REIGNAC. The Grand European Jury placed Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2001 on the second place!
“The 2016 BALTHUS, 100% old-vine Merlot, is terrific in this vintage. Inky blue/purplish fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice and lavender infuse this deep, voluptuous old-vine Merlot. Even with all of its overtness and intensity, the 2016 possesses plenty of structural underpinning and enough brightness to drink well for at least a number of years. Tasted two times.”
“Ruby. Dark fruity nose, blackberries, vanilla, ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, anise, good length.”
“Serious barrel sample with crushed stones, cement and dark berries. Full and tannic. Solid line of acidity, too. Look forward to seeing this evolve.”
“The 2015 BALTHVS is rich, dense and opulent. Crème de cassis, cloves, leather
and new oak are fused together in a super-ripe, unctuous wine build on lavish
ripeness and texture. Although not subtle by any stretch of the imagination, the 2015 Balthus is striking. The 2015 was fermented entirely in new oak and then aged in
a second set of new barrels. In most vintages I prefer the Reignac to the Balthus, but in 2015, the Balthus is terrific. Tasted two times.”
“Quite rich dark berries and dark chocolate with plenty of spice in the mix. The palate’s full of youthful chew; there’s plenty of depth and promise in the tannin department. Dark plum, cherry and chocolate flavors. Try from 2022.”
“Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Opulent and expressive
nose with distinct floral notes, blackberries and blackcurrants, roasting aroma.”
“A silky and refined wine with berry, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, firm tanins and a fresh finish.”
“Inky crimson. Ripe, sweet plummy Merlot with some vanilla sweetness. Lots of extraction on the palate, giving a sort of milk-chocolate malty sweetness and rather thick chalky tannins. More than impact than finesse. Plenty to get your teeth into. I think it would benefit from some Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc for greater freshness. Drink 2019-2024. “
“Very fresh, featuring violet, plum and cassis notes, with a fine-grained structure.”
“The BALTHUS 2014 is an equal blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and is totally barrel fermented. It has a rich and heady bouquet, opulent in style. The palate is concentrated on the entry with layered, toasty blackfruit.”
“Cedar wood, black cherry juice. Supple and smooth attack. Incense notes. Typical Merlot
flavours. Warm in the mouth. Taste of pomegranate. Beautiful material. Tannins are still a little dry.”
“I admit I have some difficulties with young wines ; however BALTHUS 2013 is rather a truck driver in ballerina shoes! Big mater, beautiful expression: a well-built baby. This vintage reveals power and a strong structure but at the same time show us an incredible grace, charm. We’ll talk about it in a couple of years!”
“Red fruits nose with maturing in process. Very gourmet mouth, fresh and brilliant, with a fine munch on the final. We definitely enjoy 2013.”
“A fresh, clean wine with bright acidity and pleasant fruit.”
“Refinement is what characterizes this wine. Nose of ripe fruits, hints of spices, subtle woody, and the mouth is exactly on the same spirit with a superb quality of tannins and freshness.”
“A major sleeper of the vintage from Yves Vatelot, this 100% Merlot was fermented in barrel, which makes it a labor intensive as well as an intriguing proposition. Copious notes of chocolate fudge, black cherry jam, toast and graphite are present in this full-bodied, rich, enticing, well-made, long, rich, hedonistic Bordeaux Superieur.”
“Deeply colored with licorice, chocolate, coffee bean and jammy berries, this wine offers lush, fat textures and a long, ripe, flashy, fruitfilled finish.”
“A wine with lots of rich fruit for this appellation and this vintage, but it’s polished and structured with a pretty fruit-tannin version. Full body, fine tannins.”
“The 2011, which was fermented in tiny, specially designed barrels, boasts a fleshy, dense purple color as well as loads of white chocolate, espresso and ripe black cherries in its modern-styled personality. Still young and primary, its lavish
richness hides the new oak component, and the finish lasts over 30 seconds. This overachieving, limited cuvee of 100% Merlot should drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
“This has ample toast but is well-endowed with fruit as well, offering richly layered blackberry, fig and espresso notes followed by roasted woodspice on the finish. Ambitious, and gets away with it.”
TENOR OF THE YEAR
“Full and silky, with a solid core of fruit and super well-integrated tannins. Minerals and blackberries galore but super well-knit and silky. Very impressive.”
“A 100% Merlot cuvée from proprietor Yves Vatelot, this dense, chunky, powerful, rich wine performs well above its pedigree year after year. Loads of fudge, espresso roast, black cherry jam and blackberry are present in this exotic, BIGGER-THAN-LIFE, RICH WINE.”
“Offers a ripe, almost saturated feel, with warm plum sauce and fig and currant pâte de fruit notes that push out from the core, but remain held in balance by briary tannins and a lingering anise edge. Vivacious finish”
“One of the strongest Reignacs from proprietor Yves Vatelot, in 2009 this overachieving estate has turned out a modern-styled Bordeaux with a viscous texture and notes of coffee bean, black currants, earth and vanillin in a delicious, front endloaded, yet surprisingly deep, textured, full-bodied wine”
“Visual aspect: a lovely crimson hue, translucent. Nose: aromas of ripe red and black fruit, scents of roasting and peppery hint. Elegant, pleasant and marvelous freshness. Palate: supple, nicely rounded tannin, a delicately melded-in woodiness and touch of vanilla. Match with food : Beef Bourguignon. Comments : a wine with superb future potential”
“Micro-vinifications and extraordinary attention to detail show how technology and human passion can push a wine to a higher qualitative hierarchy than its terroir is supposed to provide. This dark ruby/purple-colored Bordeaux Superieur reveals abundant aromas of white chocolate, black currants, kirsch, spice box, and smoke. Big, thick, and juicy, it is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years.”
“Cropped at 15 hectoliters per hectare, the fruit for this 100% Merlot (40-year-old vines) was harvested in
mid-October. It is a dense, chocolaty offering revealing notes of graphite, smoked meats, sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit, a soaring texture, and high, but ripe tannin. Think of it as a cult Bordeaux Superieur admirably displaying just what can be achieved from less prestigious vineyards. This wine will drink beautifully for a decade”
An unbelievable blind tasting of Petrus, Lafite & Cheval Blanc against BALTHVS. The Big European Jury tasted six vintages from every winery ; BALTHVS 2007 finished on the third place.
“A 7.5 acre vineyard near proprietor Yves Vatelot’s flagship estate of REIGNAC, BALTHUS receives state of the art, artisinal handling, including major deleafing, and debudding, an incredibly severe crop-thinning. The results are tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare. Once the grapes are harvested, both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in small barrels, which are then sealed up and put on Vatelot’s trademark oxoline system of racks with wheels on so the barrels can be rotated easily rather than pulling the bung, exposing the wine to oxidation, and doing lees stirring in the old manner. There are only 500 cases of this unfined/unfiltered wine. The 2006 is a dense, chewy, concentrated, big effort displaying noble sweet tannins as well as amazing concentration. Forget it for 2-3 years, and drink it over the following decade”
“Aromas of blueberry pie and mineral follow through to a full body, with round tannins and plenty of fruit. Lacks a little bit of a center palate, but well done for the vintage. Best from 2011 throught 2015.”
“The blockbuster 2005 boasts an inky/purple color, 14.5% natural alcohol, and a huge, charcoal-infused nose revealing notions of graphite, melted chocolate, espresso, and creme de cassis. This is a terrific example of what can be achieved by a conscientious proprietor using artisanal techniques and treating the vineyard like a precious jewel. The 2005 will require 1-3 years of bottle age, and should last for 10-15 years.”
Andreas LARSSON BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2007 Sweden
C : Very intense purple.
N : Nice “modern» bouquet, floral with violets, dark berries, light spiciness, vanilla and some oak.
P : Very rich and structured, dark fruits and tannic backbone, young but balanced
with fine length. Young and promising wine.
Herve PENNEQUIN 3RD BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2004 France
C : Very deep purple, almost black.
N : Wonderful aromas of black cherry, plum, very nice elegant, appetizing, toasty
bouquet.
P : Good structure, refined tannins, but firmer wood tannins in middle, fresh acidity, spices, black fruits, blueberry.
Teresa PEREZ 2ND BEST SOMMELIER OF SPAIN 2005 Spain
C : Clean brilliant, medium density, red, Bigarreau cherry, purple reflections.
N : Elegant, very fragrant bouquet, prunes, toffee and cacao notes with a hint of
sweetness, deep and long intensity. Attractive quality.
P : Powerful attack followed by well fleshed and structured body, body well charged fruit flavours, which compensate the oak and coarse tannins, still unpolished, very limited balance, medium persistence.
Virginia PHILIP BEST SOMMELIER OF AMERICA 2002 USA
C : medium density, purple rim.
N : Ripe, cherry fruits, blackcurrant, hints of new oak.
P : Dark fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, some earth, elegant, young but in balance,
long persistence, well made wine.
“The 2004 BALTHUS, which spent 19 months in 100% new oak, exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as sumptuous aromas of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, black currants, and smoky oak. An opulent texture, serious concentration, adequate acidity, and ripe tannin suggest this big wine (14% alcohol) should drink beautifully for 10-12 years, possibly longer”
Andreas LARSSON BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2007 Sweden
C : Dense dark ruby, some development.
N : Rich and elegant bouquet, wild berries, leather, earth and
truffles.
P : Full-bodied dark fruits and firm tannins, good length,
balanced fine persistence.
Herve PENNEQUIN 3RD BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2004 France
C : Dense dark ruby.
N : Elegant, lovely aromas of black fruits, very smooth, delicate
finish, touch of toastiness.
P : Excellent tannin texture, well balanced, unctuous, racy, very
long, tobacco, smoky, great length, very nice!
Teresa PEREZ 2ND BEST SOMMELIER OF SPAIN 2005 Spain
C : Clean brilliant, high density, intense, Bigarreau cherry red.
N : Generous, profound and deeply fragrant bouquet, black plum,
figs, mineral pencil lead notes, backdrop of balsamic, liquorice, excellent quality and elegance, deep, quite complex intensity
P : Ample body with warmth and very good fruit volume, ripe tannins, which still need some final polishing, well integrated acidity and alcohol, lovely elegance, excellent quality
and balance, very deep, long and lingering persistence.
“2003 : a legendary vintage or not? This is our verdict ten years later :
Beautiful color, very dense & full-bodied. No big aromatic change, delicate tannins. This is a wine with a lot of personality”
“A dense ruby/purple-tinged blockbuster, the 2003 offers up sweet notes of scorched earth, espresso
roast, white chocolate, blackberries, and blueberry liqueur. Opulent and full-bodied with low acidity, a
touch of sweet toasty oak, and a layered finish, it is a modern-styled, full-throttle Bordeaux for drinking
now and over the next 7-10 years. It was aged on its lees for 23 months”
“Yves Vatelot, the proprietor of REIGNAC, has fashioned a new luxury cuvee from a newly acquired
vineyard. The 2002 BALTHUS is a wine of extraordinary intensity and richness. It exploits the maximum
quality possible from an unheralded terroir. Deep and full-bodied, with notes of graphite, black currants,
spice box, and new oak offered in a rich, concentrated, layered, impressively endowed style, it should
drink well for 10-12 years, at the minimum.”
Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot decided to plant 3 ha of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris on a specially chosen terroir consisting of big polished gravels.
Order Find this wine in your countryThe success of Château de Reignac 2022 white wine lies not in favorable weather, but in the harmony of terroir and expert winemaking. High temperatures and sweltering heat are not ideal for early-ripening Sauvignon Blanc, as any misstep can lead to diminished fruitiness. Yet, this wine adeptly balances between “ice and fire,” exuding a warm and inviting character through its sweet pear, refreshing papaya, and crystallized sugar flavors. Although 2021 was a “banner year” for Bordeaux white wines, I find Château de Reignac 2022 to be even more exceptional. 92/100
Andreas Larsson Best Sommelier of the world 2017OUTSTANDING Bright light golden colour. Fine purity and intensity with mild oak, fresh butter, and hazelnut blended with ripe citrus and yellow fruit. The palate shows good concentration and depth, rich and ripe, yet finely tuned by a ripe acidity and fine extract, good intensity and persistency, substantial and layered with great persistency. 94/100
James SucklingClean and racy with crisp acidity and sleek texture. Lemon pith and crushed stones with a touch of white flowers. 92/100
Bright yellow colour with green hue. Refined nose with elegant fruit, hints of grapefruit, Mirabelle and pear, discreet hint of vanilla in the back ground. On the palate medium bodied with good length, restrained fruit, fine acidity and hints of minerality lingering in the aftertaste.
Vinous GalloniThe REIGNAC white 2021 has a fresh lime and citrus peel nose. The palate is vibrant suggesting orchard fruit and light ginger notes and delivering good weight on the finish, which live a persistent, tangy aftertaste Delicious!
Wine Doctor by Chris KissackThis property is perhaps best known for its red Grand Vin, but in this vintage technical director Nicolas Lesaint has also turned out a very smart white. This has an intense nose of lime zest, melon and cardamom, with a suggestion of powdered minerals. The palate is supple, lightly creamed, with delicious citrus, melon and pear fruits, as well as a fine grain of chalky minerals, and super acidity. This is a delicious white Bordeaux which is going to give a lot of pleasure. Top work.
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours de Bordeaux
Gold Medal Concours International de Lyon
Gold Medal “Challenge des Vins de l’Entre-Deux-Mers 2017″
“Structured, with notes of liquorice and spices, a lot of body and a very long finish.”
Château de Reignac 2014Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
“This wine may serve as an example for many Bordeaux”
Château de Reignac 2012
Gold Medal Concours Général Agricole de PARIS
Gold Medal Concours de Bordeaux
Gold Medal Concours International de Lyon
“I really appreciated their Bordeaux Superieur. This wine has a very good structure and strong aromatic presence, firm and ripe tannins, the wine is rich in colour and body”
Their Favourite
“Very intense colour, the nose is extremely ripe, notes of toasted bread and almonds. On the palate this wine feels very smooth and rich at the same time; sublimely rich finish with jammy red fruits; firm tannins”
Their Favourite
“Purple colour, very ripe black fruits with a hint of smokiness. Very dense, rich and powerful wine, firm tannins and very long finish…a wine promising very good aging potential”
Wine Spectator, March 2011
“Fresh, featuring raspberry and cherry notes, laced with sweet spice and licorice hints. This has a lightly firm, toasty edge on the finish”
“Cabernet franc. Des vignes de 30 ans. De la matière et de la gourmandise. Qui n’a pas vu de barrique.
L’R de Rien, ca se boit tout seul : il suffit d’avoir un verre. Un peu frais c’est carrément très bon. Mais le lendemain, moins frais et plus aéré, c’est toujours très joli. Gourmand et structuré, avec une jolie matière, c’est un beau vin de plaisir qui tiendra bien la Route, à table.”
Dany Rolland“Vraiment très agréable et appètant avec une belle structure qui n’en fait pas qu’un vin de comptoir ou un vin simple, mais un joli jus étincelant de fruit et de tanins dynamiques offerts par la pureté du cépage, sans influence d’un élevage sophistiqué qui en amortirait la pétulance. Dans l’R du temps, également…”
“These are thirty of my favorite budget-friendly 2016s. The 2016 de REIGNAC is absolutely delicious. Bright, lifted and floral, the 2016 is distinctly red toned in this vintage, with striking purity of fruit and terrific overall balance. There is plenty of the texture and depth readers have come to expect from this over achieving Merlot-based blend, but with less heaviness than in the past. Michel Rolland consults.”
B My Bordeaux“Ruby. Dark berries, spices, anise nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, rounded, quite elegant texture, good length.”
James Suckling, Note 92-93/100“A solid red with dense fruit, yet one that’s tight and compacted. Firm and silky tannins. Bright acidity. Shows excellent potential.”
Jancis Robinson“Deep and quite rich on the nose but a bit austere on the palate. “
“Very powerful and chewy with blackberry and blueberry character. Full and chewy. Very tannic but should come around nicely.”
Jancis Robinson“Good freshness and trying so, so hard! Lots of concentration. Just slightly drying tannins on the end. “
Markus Del Monego“Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Smoky nose with pyrotechnical aroma and roasting aroma backed by blackberries and mulberries. On the palate well.”
Neal Martin“The 2015 REIGNAC has quite an intense blackcurrant and boysenberry-scented bouquet with touches of graphite coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, a little tough and raw on the entry, masculine with tobacco-stained black fruit leading to a square-jawed finish. I find this surprisingly brutish this year and hope it musters more finesse during its aging.”
“Lots of dark chocolate, blue berry and spice character. Full body, juicy finish.”
Jancis Robinson“Dark crisomn. Clear fresh cassis aroma, a little cedary. Like the Balthus, this tastes as if it has had quite firm extraction, the tannins are firm bur also thick. This is fresher than the Balthus, overall quite dark and savoury on the finish, a little bitter. A distinctive style and might come round to something more elegant but needs time. “
Neal Martin“The Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2014 is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, with scents of blackberry and raspberry coulis, a touch of cedar in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannin, a little dry in the mouth perhaps but with good backbone and persistence. It just needs the barrel aging to meld the component parts together–a gutsy Bordeaux Supérieur that should be worth seeking out once bottled.”
Wine Spectator“Has a sappy feel, with plum skin, cassis and blackberry paste flavors. The toast is judicious and well-integrated already.”
“Black cherry juice. Beautiful structure. Solid and smooth. Great bottle. Black cherry juice, spices and violets. Beautiful wine, great wine! Tannins are still little firms.”
Eric Bernardin“Gourmet nose on black fruits, menthol and spices. Very pleasant mouth with a dense and velvety structure and a very expressive fresh fruit flavour. Great hedonistic final. This 2013 is a killer, a must !”
James Suckling“This is a little hollow in the mid palate with some dark-fruit, chocolate and berry character.”
My Bettane & Desseauve, Note 90/100“Very nice fruit, silky and refined body, there is no bitterness on the finish, smooth flavour.”
“Beautiful nose of blackcurrant, good woody aromas, a lot of volume and body, nicely balanced; a seducer”
Decanter, June 2014
RECOMMENDED
“Good firm colour. Attractive nose, well placed fruits. This is high alcohol but manages to have balance, and proves yet again that Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot know what they are doing. Dark damson and blackcurrant fruits”
Guide Bettane & Desseauve 2015“The Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2012 is of a superb elegence, powerful and refined ; voluptuous, vigorous and destined for long aging”
Le Figaro, 25 September 2014
THEIR FAVORITE
“On the nose: black fruit aromas, blackcurrant, vanilla. On the palate this 2012 is very ripe, dense, very fruity and with delicate woody aromas”
Le Monde, 12 September 2014
THEIR FAVORITE
“An archetype of a modern and opulent Bordeaux. Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2012 is complex and soft, less woody than the special cuvée BALTHVS. You should drink this wine in ten years and you may age it for twenty years”
Robert Parker, Avril 2013; Note: 90-92
“This blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is a seriously endowed effort exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color as well as lots of toasty oak, graphite, black currant and barbecue smoke. It is a medium-bodied, impressively concentrated, well-balanced red. Reignac is the poster boy for over-achieving generic Bordeaux. Owned by a conscientious wine lover, Yves Vatelot, this estate, which has one of the most highly respected terroirs in Bordeaux, sits high on a hill on the Right Bank.”
The French Revue on Wine, September 2014“Which wine should we purchase if we could buy only one bottle during the Wine Fair in France 2014?”
There were 5 000 wines presented during the French Wine Fair and the Grand Vin de Reignac 2012 was the one that the French Revue on Wine chose as the best one if we had to buy only bottle!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
“A regular in these tastings, always reliable, proving why we keep going back to big names, particularly in small appellations where there is so much variation. Yves and Stéphanie Vatelot have turned out an excellent quality 2011, full of cassis, damson, succulent dark fruits, some oak evident but tight and well handled, giving coffee-edged toast but not too sweet”
James Suckling.com, April 2012“Very well done for the vintage. A little light touch on extraction. Medium to full body, with a solid core of fruit
and a fresh finish. Polished for the appellation”
AN EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT
“REIGNAC is always more concentrated, riper and complete than the other Bordeaux Superieur. Very savory. The aging is perfectly managed”
Le Figaro, Octobre 2013
“2011 transcends the vintage with this rich wine. Very elegant tannins, beautuful and long finish, subtle oak”
Robert Parker, Mai 2014; Note: 90+
“An astonishingly rich, concentrated 2011 that competes with cru classes selling for 2 to 5 times as much, it boasts a dense purple color along with copious aromas of new saddle leather, spice box, lead pencil shavings, black currants, blackberries and a hint of espresso. This fullbodied, surprisingly rich effort must be tasted to be believed. It should last and improve for at least 5-7 years, perhaps as long as a decade. As it has been in many previous vintages, the 2011 REIGNAC is a major sleeper of the vintage”
The Wine Cellar Insider, March 2012“From a blend of 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is deep in color, Tannins and slightly firm for this producer, the wine offers licorice, jammy black raspberry, coffee and pepper”
THEIR FAVORITE
“Perfectly balanced wine, revealing beautiful tasted, smoky and dried fruits aromas. This is an example of a “big wine”
“Extremely high level for the appellation. A guaranteed and adjusted technique value both terroir and wine. The nose of fruit and brioche bread associated with maturity and velvety texture remind of the best right bank wines”
James Suckling.com, June 2011“Chewy and rich with a long finish of toasted oak coffee and fruit. Ripe and rich tannins. Structured better than 2009.”
La Revue de Vins de France, Novembre 2014The exceptional selection
20 000 wines tasted, 500 selected, Note:17/20
“Beautiful aromas of blond tobacco, vanilla associated to nuances of a ripe fruit, without being stewed. This 2010 REIGNAC joins among the very big success of the vineyard, it will age with charm and elegance.”
La Revue du Vin de France, September 2012“We will find the excellent 2010 – in our sense one of the best vintages produced to date. It is true that several blind tasting have proven the capacities of the Grand Vin de REIGNAC to compete with the elite of Bordeaux’s classified grand crus”
RVF, Le Guide des meilleurs vin de France, 201“Deep and fine, the Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2010 is among the best red tasted in this selection”
Robert Parker, February 2013, Note: 90“An over-achieving generic Bordeaux, REIGNAC has turned out a real classic in this vintage. Opaque ruby/purple with notes of graphite, crushed rock, forest floor and black currants, this wine is medium to full-bodies, very rich“
Wine Spectator, February 2013“Deliciously ripe and very pure, with an invigorating beam of plum and cassis racing along, flecked with anise, violet and fruitcake hints. The brairy tug of grip on the finish is well-embedded. Drink now through 2017″
Wine Spectator, March 2011“This is really solid, with velvety layers of crushed plum and boysenberry nicely woven with sweet spice and warm cocoa. Broad but focused.”
“Very good REIGNAC with a big potential, exuberant nose of black fruits, gentle spice, elegant woody aromas. Very savory and well balanced wine”
La Revue du Vin de France, June 2010“Great wine, powerful, with ripe fruit, nice woody aromas. A sure value for this appellation”
Le Figaro, Décembre 2013
THEIR FAVORITE
“The vintage 2009 distances itself with its beautiful and strong personality. Deep body, delicate structure, elegance, sharp tannins…a voluptuous and ripe mouth feeling. With red berries, licorice and and coffee scents and flavours which go until the final”
“One of the strongest REIGNAC from proprietor Yves Vatelot, in 2009 this over-achieving estate has turned out a modern-styled Bordeaux with a viscous texture and notes of coffee bean, black currants, earth and vanillin in a delicious, front end-loaded, yet surprisingly deep, textured, full-bodied wine. It should drink nicely for 5-6 years, possibly even longer, although I am always skeptical of a generic Bordeaux that lasts much longer than a decade”
Wine Spectator, April 2010“Beautiful fruity nose of blackberries and coffee. Fat, with nicely integrated tannins. A really good REIGNAC. Finally, this wine may be even better than 2005…we’ll see”
“Very dark colour. Ripeness and concentration feature on the nose with notes of blackcurrant and sloe. Soft, velvety, full palate with savoury fruity quality. Oak influence imparts a slightly firmer tone on the finish without obscuring aromatic expression”
Grand Vin de Reignac 2008The wine selected for the 1st Class of Korean Airlines
Robert Parker, April 2009; Note: 90-93
“A beautifully made, perennial overachiever from proprietor Yves Vatelot, the 2008 REIGNAC was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare, enjoyed malolactic in barrel, and was aged on its lees for four months. The result is a beautiful blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. As good as the outstanding 2005, the 2008 transcends its appellation with its display of power, deep, dark fruits, spice box, and cedar. Pure and dense with ripe tannins as well as the vintage’s remarkable freshness and precision, it should drink well for 6-8 years”
Sommeliers International“Deep bold crimson, cherry hue. The tinges show little development and the disk gleams. Nose: very delicate and charming. The first nose is slightly inexpressive, but it opens up after swirling on some black fruit aromas (blackberry). Palate: pure on the first taste, development on tannin and a slightly drying finish. Comments: a splendid wine, proof of the quality of this Appellation”
“Nose haute couture ! Dense and concentrated fruits, leather and toasted coffee. The wine feels dense and rich on the palate, a flavour of black plums, cassis and spices. Very long finish”
Terre de Vins, January 2011
“Very pleasant, subtly floral, fruity and spicy, tender tennins and good freshness”
“Very dark and brigth purple, still young and rather closed nose but with a nice complexity, spicy, lightly smoky with wild berries, the palate has a very fine concentration, excellent dark fruit, well-balanced and refreshing tannins, still on the young side but very promising, splendid length with some spicy notes. The best REIGNAC I’ve ever tasted.”
Robert Parker, February 2009; Note: 91“It is remarkable what Yves Vatelot can accomplish at this estate, which is only entitled to an Appellation Bordeaux Superieur designation. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the super-impressive 2006 boasts a dense purple color as well as a bouquet of sweet creme de cassis, spring flowers, toasty oak and background forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, richly fruity, and pure with an alluring texture as well as length”
Wine Spectator, April 2009“Blackberry and mineral aromas follow through to a medium body, with roud tannins and a simple finish. Best from 2010 through 2013″
“Ultra concentrated, rich and dense. This wine is of a magnificent youth. Its structure and its length are impressive.
A great potential”
Château Beychevelle – Château Brane Cantenac – Château Clerc Milon – Château Giscours- Château Gd Corbin Despagne – Château Dauzac – Château Larcis Ducasse – Château La Gomerie – Château Le Bon Pasteur – Château Phélan Ségur – Domaine de Chevalier- Château La Tour Carnet – Château Malartic Lagravière – Château Pape Clément
Andreas Larsson (Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Immense purple, almost opaque.
N : Quite discreet aromas of black fruits, leather, some hints of vanilla and oak.
P : Very full and structured with firm tannins, dark fruits, good freshness and fine length.”
Herve Pennequin (3rd Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Very deep purple.
N : Intense aromas of black fruit spices, cloves smokiness, black cherry.
P : Rich taste of earthiness, spices, toffee, very firm tannins, slightly dry, long
persistence good level of acidity.”
Teresa Perez (2nd Best Sommelier of the World):
“C : Clean brilliant, high density, red bigarreau cherry with purple reflection
N : Forest fruit, red and blackcurrants and blueberry, vegetal notes, hint of
blackcurrant stalk, backdrop of coffee, high intensity bouquet..
P : Powerful attack well fleshed passage in mouth.”
The Hong Kong blind tasting of the Best Bordeaux and REIGNAC : Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2004 finished FIRST on this incredible blind tasting!
Robert Parker, Note: 89-91
“A solidly-constructed, dense ruby/purple-hued effort, the 2004 offers up scents of black cherry liqueur, crème de cassis, lead pencil, and vanilla. Deep and medium-bodied with fresh acidity, moderate tannin, and a layered mouth feel, it could easily be confused with a top Medoc in a blind tasting. It should drink well for 7-10 years”
TASTED, Winter 2007-2008Herve Pennequin (3rd Best Sommelier of the World) : “Clear rim, medium intense. Smoky ham, spicy, leathery, intense black cherry, shows huge concentration. Attack quite straight, very masculine, tannins are racy, velvety, caressing, plenty of smoky flavours with cacao in finish”
Teresa Perez (2nd Best Sommelier of the World): Clean brilliant, medium density, intense, Bigarreau, cherry red. Ripe, red fruit, plum jam, hint of cacao, toasted wood, medium high intensity, very nice quality aromas. Light, silky tremendous elegance , well polished tannins and great integration of all elements, on aftertaste resurgence of jammy and smoky flavours, very good quality, excellent balance, very long deep persistence”
“A big, broadly-styled REIGNAC, with more alcohol than usual (about 13.5%), the deep ruby/purple-hued 2003 offers a big, smoky, chocolaty, black currant, licorice, and pain grille-scented bouquet. This broad, voluptuous, succulently-textured offering is more forward than most Reignacs”
The unbelievable blind tasting of the finest Bordeaux wines and REIGNAC. The Grand European Jury placed Grand Vin de REIGNAC 2001 on the second place!
“The 2016 BALTHUS, 100% old-vine Merlot, is terrific in this vintage. Inky blue/purplish fruit, mocha, chocolate, licorice and lavender infuse this deep, voluptuous old-vine Merlot. Even with all of its overtness and intensity, the 2016 possesses plenty of structural underpinning and enough brightness to drink well for at least a number of years. Tasted two times.”
B My Bordeaux, 2017“Ruby. Dark fruity nose, blackberries, vanilla, ripe nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, anise, good length.”
James Suckling, 2017, Note 92-93/100“Serious barrel sample with crushed stones, cement and dark berries. Full and tannic. Solid line of acidity, too. Look forward to seeing this evolve.”
“The 2015 BALTHVS is rich, dense and opulent. Crème de cassis, cloves, leather
and new oak are fused together in a super-ripe, unctuous wine build on lavish
ripeness and texture. Although not subtle by any stretch of the imagination, the 2015 Balthus is striking. The 2015 was fermented entirely in new oak and then aged in
a second set of new barrels. In most vintages I prefer the Reignac to the Balthus, but in 2015, the Balthus is terrific. Tasted two times.”
“Quite rich dark berries and dark chocolate with plenty of spice in the mix. The palate’s full of youthful chew; there’s plenty of depth and promise in the tannin department. Dark plum, cherry and chocolate flavors. Try from 2022.”
Markus Del Monego“Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Opulent and expressive
nose with distinct floral notes, blackberries and blackcurrants, roasting aroma.”
“A silky and refined wine with berry, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, firm tanins and a fresh finish.”
Jancis Robinson, Note 15/20“Inky crimson. Ripe, sweet plummy Merlot with some vanilla sweetness. Lots of extraction on the palate, giving a sort of milk-chocolate malty sweetness and rather thick chalky tannins. More than impact than finesse. Plenty to get your teeth into. I think it would benefit from some Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc for greater freshness. Drink 2019-2024. “
Wine Spectator, Note: 88-91“Very fresh, featuring violet, plum and cassis notes, with a fine-grained structure.”
eRobertParker.com # 218, Avril 2015, Neal Martin“The BALTHUS 2014 is an equal blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and is totally barrel fermented. It has a rich and heady bouquet, opulent in style. The palate is concentrated on the entry with layered, toasty blackfruit.”
“Cedar wood, black cherry juice. Supple and smooth attack. Incense notes. Typical Merlot
flavours. Warm in the mouth. Taste of pomegranate. Beautiful material. Tannins are still a little dry.”
“I admit I have some difficulties with young wines ; however BALTHUS 2013 is rather a truck driver in ballerina shoes! Big mater, beautiful expression: a well-built baby. This vintage reveals power and a strong structure but at the same time show us an incredible grace, charm. We’ll talk about it in a couple of years!”
Eric Bernardin www.boiremanger.net“Red fruits nose with maturing in process. Very gourmet mouth, fresh and brilliant, with a fine munch on the final. We definitely enjoy 2013.”
James Suckling.com“A fresh, clean wine with bright acidity and pleasant fruit.”
My Bettane+Dessauve, Note : 16/20“Refinement is what characterizes this wine. Nose of ripe fruits, hints of spices, subtle woody, and the mouth is exactly on the same spirit with a superb quality of tannins and freshness.”
“A major sleeper of the vintage from Yves Vatelot, this 100% Merlot was fermented in barrel, which makes it a labor intensive as well as an intriguing proposition. Copious notes of chocolate fudge, black cherry jam, toast and graphite are present in this full-bodied, rich, enticing, well-made, long, rich, hedonistic Bordeaux Superieur.”
The Wine Cellar, May 2013“Deeply colored with licorice, chocolate, coffee bean and jammy berries, this wine offers lush, fat textures and a long, ripe, flashy, fruitfilled finish.”
“A wine with lots of rich fruit for this appellation and this vintage, but it’s polished and structured with a pretty fruit-tannin version. Full body, fine tannins.”
Robert Parker, April 2014; Note: 91+“The 2011, which was fermented in tiny, specially designed barrels, boasts a fleshy, dense purple color as well as loads of white chocolate, espresso and ripe black cherries in its modern-styled personality. Still young and primary, its lavish
richness hides the new oak component, and the finish lasts over 30 seconds. This overachieving, limited cuvee of 100% Merlot should drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
“This has ample toast but is well-endowed with fruit as well, offering richly layered blackberry, fig and espresso notes followed by roasted woodspice on the finish. Ambitious, and gets away with it.”
TENOR OF THE YEAR
James Suckling, March 2011; Note: 92-93“Full and silky, with a solid core of fruit and super well-integrated tannins. Minerals and blackberries galore but super well-knit and silky. Very impressive.”
Robert Parker, March 2013; Note: 91“A 100% Merlot cuvée from proprietor Yves Vatelot, this dense, chunky, powerful, rich wine performs well above its pedigree year after year. Loads of fudge, espresso roast, black cherry jam and blackberry are present in this exotic, BIGGER-THAN-LIFE, RICH WINE.”
Wine Spectator, Ferbruary 2013“Offers a ripe, almost saturated feel, with warm plum sauce and fig and currant pâte de fruit notes that push out from the core, but remain held in balance by briary tannins and a lingering anise edge. Vivacious finish”
“One of the strongest Reignacs from proprietor Yves Vatelot, in 2009 this overachieving estate has turned out a modern-styled Bordeaux with a viscous texture and notes of coffee bean, black currants, earth and vanillin in a delicious, front endloaded, yet surprisingly deep, textured, full-bodied wine”
Sommeliers International, Spring 2012“Visual aspect: a lovely crimson hue, translucent. Nose: aromas of ripe red and black fruit, scents of roasting and peppery hint. Elegant, pleasant and marvelous freshness. Palate: supple, nicely rounded tannin, a delicately melded-in woodiness and touch of vanilla. Match with food : Beef Bourguignon. Comments : a wine with superb future potential”
Wine Spectator, Avril 2010“Micro-vinifications and extraordinary attention to detail show how technology and human passion can push a wine to a higher qualitative hierarchy than its terroir is supposed to provide. This dark ruby/purple-colored Bordeaux Superieur reveals abundant aromas of white chocolate, black currants, kirsch, spice box, and smoke. Big, thick, and juicy, it is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years.”
“Cropped at 15 hectoliters per hectare, the fruit for this 100% Merlot (40-year-old vines) was harvested in
mid-October. It is a dense, chocolaty offering revealing notes of graphite, smoked meats, sweet blackberry and blueberry fruit, a soaring texture, and high, but ripe tannin. Think of it as a cult Bordeaux Superieur admirably displaying just what can be achieved from less prestigious vineyards. This wine will drink beautifully for a decade”
An unbelievable blind tasting of Petrus, Lafite & Cheval Blanc against BALTHVS. The Big European Jury tasted six vintages from every winery ; BALTHVS 2007 finished on the third place.
“A 7.5 acre vineyard near proprietor Yves Vatelot’s flagship estate of REIGNAC, BALTHUS receives state of the art, artisinal handling, including major deleafing, and debudding, an incredibly severe crop-thinning. The results are tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare. Once the grapes are harvested, both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in small barrels, which are then sealed up and put on Vatelot’s trademark oxoline system of racks with wheels on so the barrels can be rotated easily rather than pulling the bung, exposing the wine to oxidation, and doing lees stirring in the old manner. There are only 500 cases of this unfined/unfiltered wine. The 2006 is a dense, chewy, concentrated, big effort displaying noble sweet tannins as well as amazing concentration. Forget it for 2-3 years, and drink it over the following decade”
Wine Spectator, Avril 2009“Aromas of blueberry pie and mineral follow through to a full body, with round tannins and plenty of fruit. Lacks a little bit of a center palate, but well done for the vintage. Best from 2011 throught 2015.”
“The blockbuster 2005 boasts an inky/purple color, 14.5% natural alcohol, and a huge, charcoal-infused nose revealing notions of graphite, melted chocolate, espresso, and creme de cassis. This is a terrific example of what can be achieved by a conscientious proprietor using artisanal techniques and treating the vineyard like a precious jewel. The 2005 will require 1-3 years of bottle age, and should last for 10-15 years.”
TASTED, 2007Andreas LARSSON BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2007 Sweden
C : Very intense purple.
N : Nice “modern» bouquet, floral with violets, dark berries, light spiciness, vanilla and some oak.
P : Very rich and structured, dark fruits and tannic backbone, young but balanced
with fine length. Young and promising wine.
Herve PENNEQUIN 3RD BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2004 France
C : Very deep purple, almost black.
N : Wonderful aromas of black cherry, plum, very nice elegant, appetizing, toasty
bouquet.
P : Good structure, refined tannins, but firmer wood tannins in middle, fresh acidity, spices, black fruits, blueberry.
Teresa PEREZ 2ND BEST SOMMELIER OF SPAIN 2005 Spain
C : Clean brilliant, medium density, red, Bigarreau cherry, purple reflections.
N : Elegant, very fragrant bouquet, prunes, toffee and cacao notes with a hint of
sweetness, deep and long intensity. Attractive quality.
P : Powerful attack followed by well fleshed and structured body, body well charged fruit flavours, which compensate the oak and coarse tannins, still unpolished, very limited balance, medium persistence.
Virginia PHILIP BEST SOMMELIER OF AMERICA 2002 USA
C : medium density, purple rim.
N : Ripe, cherry fruits, blackcurrant, hints of new oak.
P : Dark fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, some earth, elegant, young but in balance,
long persistence, well made wine.
“The 2004 BALTHUS, which spent 19 months in 100% new oak, exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as sumptuous aromas of crushed rocks, acacia flowers, blueberries, black currants, and smoky oak. An opulent texture, serious concentration, adequate acidity, and ripe tannin suggest this big wine (14% alcohol) should drink beautifully for 10-12 years, possibly longer”
TASTED, 2007Andreas LARSSON BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2007 Sweden
C : Dense dark ruby, some development.
N : Rich and elegant bouquet, wild berries, leather, earth and
truffles.
P : Full-bodied dark fruits and firm tannins, good length,
balanced fine persistence.
Herve PENNEQUIN 3RD BEST SOMMELIER OF THE WORLD 2004 France
C : Dense dark ruby.
N : Elegant, lovely aromas of black fruits, very smooth, delicate
finish, touch of toastiness.
P : Excellent tannin texture, well balanced, unctuous, racy, very
long, tobacco, smoky, great length, very nice!
Teresa PEREZ 2ND BEST SOMMELIER OF SPAIN 2005 Spain
C : Clean brilliant, high density, intense, Bigarreau cherry red.
N : Generous, profound and deeply fragrant bouquet, black plum,
figs, mineral pencil lead notes, backdrop of balsamic, liquorice, excellent quality and elegance, deep, quite complex intensity
P : Ample body with warmth and very good fruit volume, ripe tannins, which still need some final polishing, well integrated acidity and alcohol, lovely elegance, excellent quality
and balance, very deep, long and lingering persistence.
“2003 : a legendary vintage or not? This is our verdict ten years later :
Beautiful color, very dense & full-bodied. No big aromatic change, delicate tannins. This is a wine with a lot of personality”
Robert Parker, Avril 2006; Note: 92-94
“A dense ruby/purple-tinged blockbuster, the 2003 offers up sweet notes of scorched earth, espresso
roast, white chocolate, blackberries, and blueberry liqueur. Opulent and full-bodied with low acidity, a
touch of sweet toasty oak, and a layered finish, it is a modern-styled, full-throttle Bordeaux for drinking
now and over the next 7-10 years. It was aged on its lees for 23 months”
“Yves Vatelot, the proprietor of REIGNAC, has fashioned a new luxury cuvee from a newly acquired
vineyard. The 2002 BALTHUS is a wine of extraordinary intensity and richness. It exploits the maximum
quality possible from an unheralded terroir. Deep and full-bodied, with notes of graphite, black currants,
spice box, and new oak offered in a rich, concentrated, layered, impressively endowed style, it should
drink well for 10-12 years, at the minimum.”
