Description
// 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot. Biodynamic.
"A classic Pauillac nose, showing ripe currants, graphite, pencil shavings and cocoa powder. Full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless coating of fine, dusty tannins. The wine is broad, dissolved and long, with good drive. Approachable now thanks to its balance and complexity but will be much better after 2027." - 96 points, Zekun Shuai
"The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral matured in 40% new oak for 16 months. This is slightly muted for the first couple of minutes, then it opens with very attractive blackberry and bilberry scents. It perhaps has more mineralité than the Ferrière, with just a touch of wild mint in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and cedar, cracked black pepper and saline notes toward the controlled, focused finish. What a wonderful HBL." - 95 points, Neal Martin
"The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral is huge and explosive right out of the gate. A rush of dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, blood orange, incense, licorice and mocha saturates the palate. Saline notes extend the mid-palate and finish effortlessly. This is one of the most exuberant, ample wines I have tasted from Claire Villars-Lurton. I would give the 2022 a number of years in bottle to shed some baby fat. Today, it tastes almost like a barrel sample! The purity and primary intensity of the fruit is remarkable. The Haut-Bages Libéral was raised in a combination of 40% new oak, 40% once-used barrels and 20% a mix of concrete and amphora. This is one of the under-the-radar gems of 2022." - 97 points, Antonio Galloni
"Delicate aromatics that have a cool, blue fruit and stony edge. Lifted and lightweight, this has such finesse from the first sip. Nothing heavy or overdone, this is so fruity - pristine and crystalline with all the focus and energy on the purity of the fruit while the frame and undercurrent of minerality comes second. There's power no doubt - hints come in the form of tension, length and slight spice on the finish, but this has the right balance in terms of approachability. Not an estate that generally steals the limelight but this is a joy to drink with signature Pauillac markings alongside owner and winemaker Claire's ability to give her wines such vibrancy and dynamism - something also attributed to the wines being made biodynamically." - 95 points, Georgina Hindle
"Expressive dark-fruit aroma with notes of cassis and dark cherry. Lovely texture, the tannins silky and smooth. Fresh as well. On the fine side of Pauillac but there’s pleasure to be had here." - 16.5+/20, Jancis Robinson
"Lots of redcurrants and blackcurrants with some cassis as well as iron, tile, stone and hints of dried herbs. Full-bodied with lots of pretty structure and very juicy tannins. Lively and energetic. Exciting to taste. pH 3.54 and with 13.9% alcohol. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification." - 96-97 points, James Suckling
