Chateau Haut Bages Liberal 2021

WEINWISSER: "90 % Cabernet, 10 % Merlot, 30 hl/ha. Feingliedriges Bouquet, rote Pflaume, Heidelbeergelee, Veilchen, weißer Pfeffer und Lakritze. Am geradlinigen Gaumen mit straffer Ausrichtung, fein spröder Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und sehnigem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale blaubeerige Konturen, edler Kreideton, der dem Pauillac eine ungeheure Eleganz verleiht, kann noch zulegen."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Almost pure Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has very fine, sophisticated black-currant aromas, followed by dark tannins on the palate. It's fine acidity is reflected in the rich flavors that are structured with a rounded aftertaste. Drink from 2028. Organic."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This shows lots of blackcurrants and lead pencil with hints of spices and sandalwood. Medium body with nice fluidity in the center palate and a lovely, juicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Delicious and fine. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "Very aromatic on the nose, this has savoury, fruit and floral tones; liquorice, cola and earth with cranberries, strawberries and black cherries. Dense and quite darkly fruited on the palate but with a brightness from the acidity giving a mouthwatering attack before the flavours deepen and widen in the mouth. So many layers, really showing the Pauillac power: everything presented in high definition with a bold structure even though the individual elements are so precise and defined. It's racy and confident but also complex with a spiced cedar, clove, cinnamon, liquorice and wet stone/ chalky element to the tannins that fill the mouth and don't let go. A lovely wine with lots of potential from Claire Villars-Lurton! 65% grand vin. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon - the highest percentage ever - and 10% Merlot, which usually comprises between 15 to 25% of the blend. 11.5% press wine. Ageing 16 months, 40% new oak, 40% one-year-old oak, 20% amphoras."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out nicely, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, minty berries, pencil shavings and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's impressively concentrated, built around a muscular frame of ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully structured finish. It will reward a bit of patience."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Zart nach Brombeerkonfit und Cassis, kandierte Orangenzesten, etwas Nugat, feine Kräuterwürze ist unterlegt. Komplex, zarte Fruchtsüße, gute Frische, mineralisch und anhaftend, bereits antrinkbar, verfügt über Entwicklungspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers and tobacco leaf accompany the bright red fruits on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with a softness as well as sweetness in the fresh red currants on the palate, and a touch of refreshing spearmint in the finish. The wine will be easy to enjoy just about on release. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. This represents the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend in the history of the estate, 13.2% ABV. Drink from 2024-2039."