One of the best efforts from this estate since the 1982, this wine remains fairly priced. It exhibits ripe blue and black fruits, a dense plum/purple color, good acidity buttressing a remarkably rich, fleshy, sumptuous texture, and oodles of smoky black currant and blueberry fruit. Ripe, heady and rich, this wine will probably benefit from 2-5 years of cellaring despite its precociousness and keep for two decades.
Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Haut Bages Liberal has a classic, graphite-led Pauillac nose with fine definition, although it is a little closed at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied and quite caressing. There are hints of cranberry, blackberry and a touch of soy, with a refined finish. What a lovely Pauillac. Tasted November 2012.
A balanced young wine, with smoky, blackberry and chewy aromas and flavors. Full and velvety, with a fresh finish
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Haut Bages Liberal is a bit subdued to begin, unfurling to offer glimpses at mature stewed plums and warm figs scents with touches of mossy tree bark, unsmoked cigars and truffles. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers lovely freshness and well-managed, approachable tannins, finishing on a mineral note. Drink 2020-2037.
16 Drink 2017-2027
Bright dark crimson. Quite big and sweet and ripe. A little lacking flavour and form. Goes through the motions a bit and some greenness on the end.
Claire Villars-Lurton of Chateau Ferrière has been producing some excellent and modestly priced wine at this small Pauillac property in recent years. 14 hectares of vines are alongside Latour - overlooking the river, with 16 hectares behind Pichon Baron. One to watch. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot. Dense black colour. Lots of power and depth on the palate. A touch of spice. Serious strapping Pauillac with excellent concentration.
Black fruits give richness on the nose and a lovely sweetness on the palate. There are layers of fruit giving complexity rich black plum, black cherry and firmer sloe. An intensity of flavour fills out the back palate.
Well-extracted ripe cassis fruit both briary and rich, good fragrance and purity, structure and length, right up with its 5th growth peers. Drink 2017-28.
The finest Haut-Bages-Liberal I have tasted in many years, this sleeper of the vintage exhibits a blue/purple hue as well as projected aromatics of blue and black fruits, spring flowers and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with moderately high tannins, a layered mouthfeel and a long finish, it should be at its best between 2017 and 2035.
Tasted at the chateau and at the UGC, cropped at 42hl/ha, the Haut-Bages-Liberal 28% Merlot and 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a very well defined nose of blackberry, briary, wild hedgerow and a touch of crushed stone. With a little aeration there is a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, quite succulent tannins on the entry that belies the backbone underneath. Good grip, though showing more silkiness under sunny skies and high pressure the following week at the UGC. Tasted April 2011.
