Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2018

Very pronounced, interesting aromas from maturation; particularly juicy and crisp in style, with tannins showing notable freshness and minerality; long, fruity, powerful yet not burning finish; seems a bit more closed than en primeur, but has unmistakable class.

Some pretty fierce tannins on display; then as it opens the emphasis goes to pencil lead and cassis. There is plenty of Pauillac character here but you have to wait for it to unfurl. Partly aged in amphorae, alongside 40% new oak. A good yield of 45hl/ha despite current conversions to biodynamics.

Pretty blackberries, blueberries and violets with some crushed-raspberry aromas follow through to a full body with wonderfully crafted and pure tannins that intertwine wonderfully with the blue fruit and blackberries. Long and endless. A triumph here. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2026.

In conversion to biodynamic. Barrel sample. Black core with purple rim. Intense cassis aroma with a hint of dark chocolate. It seems rather woody on the palate, as if the oak is intruding here. Thick tannins and a pretty tough woody finish. Disappointing, especially on the palate – is it a particularly oaky sample? Here I found it impossible to tell how long this wine will age well. (JH)

Dense purple with ruby reflections. Complex bouquet with dark-berry contours, backed by Sichuan pepper, Dominican tobacco and refined cassis spice. On the palate, powerful with a silky texture and perfectly ripe tannins, well-supported—the model athlete proudly flexes its muscles. In the concentrated finish, the Pauillac streamlines and shows its rounded claws, wild cherry, mulberries and dark minerality on the long aftertaste! Now rightfully deserves its (then) potential rating!

21: Very dark garnet with violet highlights. The bouquet shows blueberry but also floral notes with medium drive. So it currently seems rather restrained. Finely layered and already noble on the attack. On a second approach it gains a bit, revealing peppercorns and nuances of cassis. On the palate medium-weight, with beautifully integrated tannins supporting the elegant flow, a harmonious finish with finely fleshy contour. It currently comes across as somewhat introverted. Despite the gentle finish, the aromatics linger. Overall it bets more on elegance than on arrogance, and one could even ascribe a touch of Saint-Julien affinity. Thus, it is/would be completely unsuitable for high-octane blind tastings. (18/20).

Creamy, dense, velvety, fresh, fruity bouquet, cassis jelly, mint, herbs, licorice, nougat, fine woods, nougat. Velvety, tightly woven, fruity palate with powerful, sweet, dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, creamy structure, long, dense, full finish. 18/20 2025 - 2048

The 2018 Haut-Bages Liberal is deep garnet-purple in color. It charges out of the gate with scents of crème de cassis, stewed black plums, and bay leaves, plus hints of wood smoke, pencil shavings, and olives. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives just enough expressive black fruit, with a soft texture and a savory finish.

A lot of body, noticeable oak influence that day, lovely sap, firm tannin; it confirms the gains in precision and expressive power that began with the 2016. Likely great value for money. And there will be volume, which is not so common in biodynamic farming in this vintage.

The progress is clear, vintage after vintage. The 2018 is a great success for the cru, combining fine texture and tannins with a very long finish.

A very Pauillac bouquet with classic notes of cedar and graphite. Added to this are hints of roast, elegant notes of cherries and blueberries, and a touch of licorice. On the palate, the wine shows breed and body. There is tension and temperament, hence plenty of freshness, while the tannins display a fine grain. A wine of character, with a fruity finish and good aging potential. It is nonetheless through its finesse that it stands out… while remaining clearly marked by Pauillac, thus with a certain power.

The nose is elegant, fresh, racy, offering power, depth and harmony. It reveals notes of blackcurrant and licorice, and, more subtly, bright wild black berries, joined by small touches of raspberry, Sichuan pepper and violet, along with a discreet hint of camphor and spices. The palate is elegant, delicate and silky, delivering power (mastered and delicate), a certain concentration and lovely preserved fruit. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright blackcurrant and bright cherry, and more subtly plum, combined with small touches of violet, rose and bright gariguette strawberry, as well as hints of black tea and licorice, with a very discreet touch of tobacco and toast. Good length. The tannins are elegant, fine and supple. An imperceptible hint of crushed almond on the finish/persistence.

Dark, intense, deep and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose, fine, fruity and complex. Supple on the attack, broad at mid-palate, juicy, rich and noble throughout, the wine stretches into a complete, deep finish. Long, delicious, original, with the scent of Cabernet Sauvignon. In a vintage high in alcohol in the Médoc this year, its low pH gives it superb balance. Alcohol: 14.1% - pH: 3.56. Yield: 49 hl/ha. Proportion of First Wine: 60%.

Rich, lush, creamy, and fresh, the wine easily offers its multiple layers of red fruit, cedar, flowers, and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied and bright, layers of sweet, juicy red berries and currants open the wine on the mid-palate and through the finish. There is a brightness to the fruit in the mouth, chewy tannins, and a crispness to the red berries that carries from start to finish. Drink from 2027–2050.