Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2019

Particularly complex and multi-layered despite this early stage, licorice, blackcurrant, baking spices; full attack, great class, juiciness and density, but also depth and endless length, tannins of velvet and silk: the best HBL so far, a must.

The 2019 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out superbly, offering up aromas of wild berries, cassis, licorice, rose petals and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate, its powdery structuring tannins hidden in an ample core of lively, succulent fruit. From biodynamically farmed vineyards located on clay-limestone and gravel soils to the north of Château Latour (as well as a parcel of gravel sandwiched between Pichon-Baron and Lynch-Bages), this is a terrific effort from an estate that deserves to be much better known.

Leans slightly to the austere side, revealing a ripe, fresh and rather direct beam of cassis and bitter plum fruit lined with a bright iron note. Delivers a dash of savory on the sleek finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2023 through 2032.

Dark black bramble fruits on the nose with lovely blackcurrant juiciness. Immediate brightness on the palate; the tannins are supportive, fine and gently gripping, and this has a really lovely depth — not too rich or too light, just very pleasantly easy to drink. You can feel the sculpting of the fruit, firm and muscular, well defined and precise but with soft edges, and a menthol/liquorice finish common to Pauillac. Power with clarity, cooling flavours and good balance. A great wine.

Complex nose of blackberries, currants, oyster shells, iodine, gravel, cloves, dried leaves and bark. Medium-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Layered and serious. Extremely long in the finish. Classic Pauillac. 20% aged in concrete. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2026.

Dark currants, blackberries, tobacco leaf, cedar, cigar box, and crushed rocks show easily on the nose. On the palate, this modern, classic-styled wine is fresh and vibrant with a core of chewy, crunchy, dark, ripe red fruits, spices, and leafy herbs. There is length, freshness, and tannins with the structure to age and evolve for 3 decades. It will need a few years in the cellar, so give it some time to evolve before pulling a cork. The wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Make no mistake, this is the best vintage ever produced of Haut Bages Liberal. Drink from 2027-2055.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicately herbal and spicy, wild black berries, a hint of cassis, subtle hints of blood oranges, candied grapefruit zest. Medium complexity, fine sweetness in the texture, ripe, vivid tannins, elegant and persistent, some nougat on the finish, a spicy food wine with a salty aftertaste.

Closed, deep, dark bouquet with black berries, cassis, fine woods, subtle licorice. A tightly knit, multi-layered, elegant palate with delicate dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a dense, elegant structure, a diverse dark aromatics profile, and a long, racy finish. Has room to improve. 18/20 2026 - 2050

Haut-Bages Libéral has been gaining in refinement and depth over the past few vintages. 2019 marks a turning point that propels it into another category. With notes of licorice, white pepper, superbly soft tannins, and a finish that expresses the limestone. It is irresistible.

30-hectare vineyards made up of clay-limestone gravel around the estate and deep gravel on the Bages plateau. Aged for 16 months, with 40% in new barrels, 40% in one-wine barrels, and 20% in TAVA amphorae. The bouquet is marked by notes of graphite and flint, then slowly reveals fruity nuances. Fresh and compact on the palate. The wine has tension, fine yet powerful tannins and, in this vein, a beautiful balance! It is gourmand, generous, and ready to spend time in the cellar! An authentic, racy wine that reveals itself with precision and vigor. A great success.

Dark, intense, purple hue. Highly aromatic nose with pure fruit. Delicate on attack, precise to the touch, very tasty, the wine caresses the palate with rather fine tannins. It finishes long and very good, with a very slight chalky echo on the finish that recalls a style more commonly found on the Right Bank.

The classed growth, whose vineyard is in the south of Pauillac, is now performing impressively. This release has succulent black fruits that are braced with tannins and a firm, spicy structure. It is a dense wine that will age. Drink from 2026. Organic.