Chateau Haut Bages Liberal 2020

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackcurrant, orange peel and green coffee bean aromas follow through to a full body with medium, round tannins. Citrusy, juicy and rose bush finish. Chewy and intense. Some old vine character with bark and dark mushroom. Solid! One for the cellar. 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certification. Try after 2027."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2020 Haut-Bages-Libéral is supple and seamless, bursting with aromas of sweet dark berries, petals and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate. Succulent and polished, it will offer a broad drinking window. As readers will remember, this wine derives from biodynamically farmed vineyards located on clay-limestone and gravel soils to the north of Château Latour (as well as a parcel of gravel sandwiched between Pichon-Baron and Lynch-Bages)."

WEINWISSER: "Verhaltener Beginn, Szechuanpfeffer, edle Cassiswürze und Brasiltabak. Am druckvollen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, feinkörniges Extrakt, stützende Rasse und muskulöser Körper. Im gebündelten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, dunkles Graphit und viel Spannung."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Dunkle Waldbeeren, zarte Kräuterwürze, Brombeeren, ein Hauch von Cassis, zarte florale Nuancen, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant und frisch, feine Kirschfrucht, reife, tragende Tannine, zarte Fruchtsüße im Abgang, lebendiger Stil, bereits einwickelt, geprägt von einer angenehmem Säurestruktur, ein zugänglicher, finessenreicher Wein mit dezenter Honignote im Abgang."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, smoke, tobacco leaf, sweet bright red currants, and forest floor are at the center of the nose and palate here. Fresh, bright, and energetic, the wine is fresh and vibrant, with loads of bright, fresh, chewy, crunchy, dark, ripe red fruits, round textures, and leafy herbs on the mid-palate and in the savory, spice-tinted finish. The wine is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. Drink from 2027-2055."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Bold and rich, this wine shows power and structure. But it also has delicious black currant fruitiness to go with the tannins. The wine will age well. Drink from 2027. Organic and biodynamic."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Pure and precise with plenty of energy and drive. Fruit evident on the nose and palate. Sufficient depth on the latter. Firm and minerally behind but the tannins are silky and refined. Pauillac of a caressing nature. This property continues to improve. Should be GV."