Chateau Haut Bages Liberal 2019

- 96 Punkte James Suckling: „Complex nose of blackberries, currants, oyster shells, iodine, gravel, cloves, dried leaves and bark. Medium-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Layered and serious. Extremely long in the finish. Classic Pauillac. 20% aged in concrete. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2026.“

- 18 Punkte VINUM, Bordeaux Arrivage: „Besonders komplex und vielschichtig trotz dieses frühen Stadiums, Lakritze, Cassis, Backgewürze; voller Auftakt, grosse Rasse, Saftigkeit und Dichte, aber auch Tiefe und ewige Länge, Tannin aus Samt und Seide: der beste HBL bisher, ein Must. 2030-2050.“

- 18 Punkte VINUM, Bordeaux En-Primeur: „Interessante, fein-würzige, dann betörend fruchtige Aromatik; voller, beeindruckend saftiger Auftakt, dichter Bau, Klassetannin, grosse Länge und besondere Mineralität, saftig; umwerfend gut, ein echtes Schnäppchen! 2030-2045.“

- 95 Punkte WINE ENTHUSIAST, Roger Voss: „The classed growth, whose vineyard is in the south of Pauillac, is now performing impressively. This release has succulent black fruits that are braced with tannins and a firm, spicy structure. It is a dense wine that will age. Drink from 2026. Organic..“

- 94 Punkte Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, William Kelley: „The 2019 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out superbly, offering up aromas of wild berries, cassis, licorice, rose petals and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate, its powdery structuring tannins hidden in an ample core of lively, succulent fruit. 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), this is a terrific effort from an estate that deserves to be much better known. 2026-2060.
Claire Villars-Lurton took over this 30-hectare estate in 2000 and shortly after initiated a viticultural revolution. Herbicides were banished in 2004; in 2005, cover crops were introduced; soon after, organic conversion began; and farming has been biodynamic since 2007. The unaccustomed competition in the vineyard initially resulted in very low yields and rather firm wines, but in recent years, Haut-Bages-Libéral has really come into its own, delivering a rather fleshy, charming style of Pauillac that deserves to be better known. The vineyards themselves are situated both on clay-limestone soils north of Château Latour, and on the plateau of Bages between Lynch-Bages and Pichon-Baron.“

- 94+ Punkte Vinous Antonio Galloni

- 18+ Punkte WEINWISSER: "80 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot. Purpurrot mit rubinrotem Schimmer und lila Rand. Ein berauschendes Bouquet mit Wildkirsche, edler Cassiswürze, Holundergelee und Thymian. Im zweiten Ansatz Schattenmorellensaft, Lavendel und Eisenkraut. Am druckvollen Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanningerüst, feinsandiger Extrakt, genialer Präzision  und muskulösem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale spielt der Kraftprotz mit seinen Muskeln und endet in einem langen blaubeerigen Finale gepaart mit dunkler Mineralik und edler Adstringenz. Da heisst es zuerst mal Geduld zu bewahren. Hat eine Transformation erfahren, der Cabernet-Anteil ging im Vergleich zu älteren Jahrgängen um +10 % rauf. Wird noch zulegen!"