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Haut Bages Liberal 2005

Pauillac, Fifth Growth

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Tasting Notes

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This seems a little smudged on the nose with baked black cherries, iodine and a touch of damson. Very ripe but there is some heat that is slightly annoying. The palate is better with some fine grainy tannins, nice purity with supple toasty black fruit on the finish. Gritty, earthy finish. Not as good as its showing in barrel, but still very fine. Drink 2010-2025. Tasted January 2009.

Score: 91

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 01 July 2009

Good ruby-red. Cool aromas of blueberry, licorice and shoe polish. Sweet and lush, but with very good energy to the rather high-pitched flavors of dark berries, spices and licorice. Dry and classic wine, finishing with substantial, slightly tough tannins that call for patience.

Score: 89

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

This deep ruby/purple-colored 2005 is a classic Pauillac. A big, sweet kiss of road tar aromas interwoven with cedarwood, smoke, spice box, herbs, and black currants emerges from the glass of this unexpectedly precocious, up-front Pauillac. Fleshy, with medium to full body as well as good acidity and structure, it lacks complexity, but offers a generous mouthful of wine at a realistic price.

Score: 90

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2022 30 April 2008

This Pauillac, which is often under most consumers’ radar, has come through with a strong effort in 2005. It possesses a deep ruby/purple hue as well as aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, road tar, cedar, truffles, and licorice. Full-bodied and fleshy, with good acidity, a powerful, muscular mouthfeel, sweet tannin, and good structure as well as purity, it should hit its peak in 4-5 years and last for two decades.

Score: 88 - 90

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2027 30 April 2007

Blueish crimson; slightly grey. Intense mineral/Cabernet aromas. No prisoners’ style! Quite austere. Very dry finish. Shortage of fruit in the middle. Should age well but will never be the fleshiest. Very very dry finish.

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2027 10 April 2006

Claire Villars-Lurton produces a fine Pauillac here with vines neighbouring those of Chateau Latour. Reasonably priced, this offers good value. Dark berry and cedar character on the nose with lots of compact black fruits and vanilla cream in the mouth. Very neat with well-integrated tannins.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006

Gorgeous aromas of currants, berries, vanilla and licorice. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a wonderful texture. It goes on for minutes. Breathtaking. Best ever from here. Almost 95-100.

Score: 92 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006