Appellations

Haut Bages Liberal 2018

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2018 Haut-Bages Libéral, which was tasted directly from barrel at the property, was picked at 50hl/ha from September 17 to around October 10. There is about 60mg of SO2 in this wine. It has a delightful bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry and light pencil box aromas that show engaging purity. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannin, the acidity very well-judged and the 40% new oak nicely integrated. There is a boldness to this Pauillac that I like and that perhaps has not been evident in previous vintages. The solid finish displays fine density. This is definitely worth checking out.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 Date: 01 November 2019

A more unfussy than slick wine, less sumptuous than some as is often the case with this estate, but as you sit with it you start to realise there’s real quality here. It has a juiciness and integrity to the cassis and bilberry fruit, alongside brambles and hedgerows, with chewy tannins that build slowly through the palate providing a welcoming cushion of support. A good yield of 45hl/ha despite current conversions to biodynamics because Pauillac was hit later by mildew than the Villars-Lurton estates in Margaux. Certification expected in 2020. 40% new oak used.

Score: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2026-2040 Date: 16 April 2019

A fantastic wine with lovely depth of ripe fruit and transparency and beauty. Full bodied. Succulent and rich tannins to the gorgeous fruit. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Score: 96 - 97 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 11 April 2019

The 2018 Haut-Bages Libéral takes all of the signatures of the property and turns them up to 11. Rich, ample and yet also incredibly refined, the 2018 is a total knock-out. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco and star anise infuse this powerful, sumptuous Pauillac. Even with normal yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare, Haut-Bages Libéral is a stunningly deep, potent wine. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot.

Score: 92 - 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2019