Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Red blend – 2022
Pauillac AOC – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Left Bank classicism meets modern precision. A Cabernet-dominant blend at 87% and 13% Merlot that showcases Pauillac’s hallmark structure wrapped in surprising elegance. Certified organic and biodynamic, made by Claire Villars-Lurton, one of the leading women in Bordeaux.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, plum skin, and violets with subtle tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and cocoa. Young, fresh, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished, seamless texture. Harmonious and structured with a delicious, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom ragù, or aged Comté.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, terroir-driven Pauillac that delivers finesse without sacrificing power. Delicious now, but built to evolve gracefully.

Did You Know?
Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a Fifth Growth from the 1855 Classification, situated next on to Château Latour. The “Libéral” family were 18th-century négociants who selected some of Pauillac’s best parcels, many still form the estate today. — 7 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2015 vintage. 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. From the Cazes stable (Lynch Bages). Surprisingly light on its feet, especially compared to the Haut- Condissas Médoc 2015 tasted alongside. Floral and elegant, more like a Margaux than a Saint- Estèphe. Ready to drink. Abv. 13,5 %. — 9 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2016 vintage. Jean-Michel Cazes (owner of famous Pauillac Cru Classé Lynch-Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley) bought this Minervois estate in 2002. This is the "grand vin", a blend of 70% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 20% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. A very spicy concentrated wine that is more about power than finesse. The colour is still deep dark red with hardly any sign of evolution. Intense spicy nose. Bold and powerful with black fruit hidden in spices. Long peppery finish. Take no prisoners. Abv. 14,5%. — 3 years ago

Ainsley

9.4

Lots of violet and bright fruit on the nose. Plum, raisin on the palette. Amazing length, super silky tannins. A beauty!!!!! — 8 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2015 vintage. The anti-Pauillac. Lean. Light. Feminine. Oodles of graphite with delicate earth note framing. Substantive, yet hushed, push towards a happy finish. This is just beginning to find itself. 04.11.25. — 8 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2019 vintage. From 30 hectares in Haut-Medoc, owned by the Quié family ( also Rauzan-Gassies and Croizet-Bages). A fine effort, showing that the Quié family is finally serious about quality, after decades of mediocrity. Much more evolved in colour compared to the 2019 Moulin de La Lagune tasted alongside. Ripe, slightly jammy fruit. Serve slightly cold to keep the high alcohol ( 15% abv.) in check. — 2 years ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Solid older Bordeaux, great color, youthful, of course also showing some of the 1980s “Cordier Funk”, but complex, medium-long finish, lovely older Bordeaux!! (This followed a super-corked 1986 Haut-Bages-Liberal, which was a freaking drain pour!!) — 4 years ago

with Jim

Scott Koles

9.0

Silky smooth Bordeaux with notes of strawberry jam and tartiflette. — 3 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Drinking well with some air. Showing deep garnet in the glass. Dark, stewed blackberry and mulberry with potting soil, sarsaparilla, incense, licorice, and wood spice. Classic left bank. About 3/4 Cab and 1/4 Merlot. — 7 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2019 vintage. Château Julia owns less than 1 hectare of Pauillac (65 are to be precise), situated between Latour and Lynch-Bages. They also produce a Haut-Médoc from 4,5 hectares.
Merlot dominates here (70%), with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Therefore, it is no surprise to find some floral Margaux-like sexiness here. The wine has a solid stucture, but elegance prevails over power. Typically, only 3000 bottles produced. A hard find, but well worth the search. — a year ago