Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2016

What a lovely run of Pauillacs in this vintage; hefty, deep, not subtle at this early stage, with chewy tannins, and long lives ahead. Not charming wines, but powerful. At Haut-Bages Libéral they're undergoing conversion to organic and biodynamic. They harvested right through until 19 October in 2016, and here the rich damson fruit and tannins are enrobed by oak, with some heat on the finish. Matured in 40% new oak. Eric Boissenot consults.

The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has turned out beautifully. Rose petals, lavender and sweet red cherry are some of the notes that grace this fine, translucent Pauillac. Medium in body and precise, with exquisite finesse and nuance, the 2016 is incredibly expressive today. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Claire Villars Lurton.

This has really picked up steam over the past few years. Now, you find a classic Pauillac, medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, and floral, with hints of tobacco, cherries, currants, and spice. The palate is loaded with sweet, red currants, spice, herbs, and cassis. Drink 2024-2045.

Dense purple with a violet rim. Fragrant, blueberry-like bouquet, followed by red plum and cassis blossom. On the tightly knit palate with a crumbly texture, you can feel the power of the wine, but there is not enough flesh on the bone; in other words: it was over-vinified!

Herbs, restrained bouquet, blue berries, coal, stone dust. Velvety, broad palate with good fruit, fine sandy tannins, bony structure, good aromatics, dry finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2024 - 2036

Combining the power of the vintage with the refinement the cru always displays, the 2016 is quite irresistible. This is a refined, silky wine. A lace-like Pauillac.

Minty, small black fruits, bramble, small red fruits. Smooth, long palate with round, supple tannins and a long, lively finish.

Logo on the cork: CB Located right next to Latour, but with part of its soil very limestone-rich, this wine radiates a very distinctive energy that brings it closer to a Saint-Estèphe or even the Right Bank for its generous, full, and juicy nuances. Perfectly crafted, with excellent stability in air once opened, this wine holds for 7 days in bottle without deteriorating. My scores have kept rising since the en primeur tastings. It is after 24 hours of opening that it reveals its full potential in its long finish. Here is a new outsider. Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot. Alcohol level: 13.7%. pH 3.5. With such figures, it has a long life ahead of it! Dark, intense, beautiful color. Young. Very aromatic nose, fruity and finely seasoned by lovely oak. Broad on the attack, full and caressing mid-palate, this wine delights with the dazzling intensity of its flavors. The whole is sappy, melting on the finish, offering a tight weave with refined grain.

Kunz barrel sample 17: Herbs, restrained bouquet, blue berries, coal, stone flour. Velvety, broad palate with good fruit, fine sandy tannins, bony structure, good aromatics, dry finish. Can still improve.