Château Haut Bages Averous

Claire Villars Lurton

Liberal La Fleur De Haut Bages Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

I really regret opening this and wish I had kept racked, but the fruit was bright, almost jammy. Light on tannins, alcohol medium, very smooth. Also a great French red. — 4 years ago

JM Cazes

Domaine De L'Ostal Estibals Minervois Syrah Blend 2016

2016 vintage. Domaine de l'Ostal is owned by famous Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Michel Cazes (Pauillac Cru Classé Château Lynch-Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley). We can reasonably expect him to not put his name on a bad wine, and this Estobal (the second wine of the estate, the top wine being labeled Domaine de l'Ostal Grand Vin) surely delivers. Dark red. Intense perfume of blackberry jam, rosemary and dried flowers. Mouthfilling layered jammy fruit, with good acidity, smooth tannin and good spicy length. — 5 years ago

Peter, Romain and 1 other liked this

Château Durfort-Vivens

Margaux Second Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

I enjoyed another one of Claire Lurton's wines when last time she was in the shop. Much darker complexion than her Château Haut-Bages Libéral. This 2ème Cru has wonderful acids and balance. I can't wait to revisit this wine in another 5-8 years. — 10 years ago

Kristy Ann VibatUncle Bill, FWS, IWPTim Sanchez
with Kristy, Uncle and 1 other

Château Haut-Batailley

Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 2010

Well structured elegantly balanced wine, with a long finish. Much nicer than the Haut-Bages Libéral 2010 which proceeded it.... — 12 years ago

Château Meyney

Cru Bourgeois Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1986

Solid older Bordeaux, great color, youthful, of course also showing some of the 1980s “Cordier Funk”, but complex, medium-long finish, lovely older Bordeaux!! (This followed a super-corked 1986 Haut-Bages-Liberal, which was a freaking drain pour!!) — 5 years ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Scott@Mister, Romain and 9 others liked this

Château Haut-Bages Libéral

La Fleur Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2010

One of the 3 second wines of 5th growth Haut Bages Liberal. Even better than the last time - typical Pauillac barnyard notes. 92 — 9 years ago

Château Lynch-Moussas

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

On the nose: cedar, leather, cassis. Medium to full-bodied with a long finish. Better than Haut Bages Liberal — 13 years ago

Château Villa Bel-Air

Graves White Bordeaux Blend 2005

2016 vintage. 65% Sauvignon blanc with 35% Sémillon. At the time this estate was owned by Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley), but the current owners are the Groupe Ballande (Bordeaux négociants who also own Prieuré Lichine and Baret). Exotic fruit and a hint of flowers. Round and ripe with enough acidity in this warm vintage. Good length with impressions of vanilla. Good value. — 5 years ago

Peter and Josh liked this

Château Villa Bel-Air

Graves Red Bordeaux Blend 2014

This estate was bought in 1988 buy Jean-Michel Cazes (Lynch Bages and more recently Haut-Batailley) and sold in 2017 to the Balland family (Baret). 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Aged in used Lynch Bages barrels. This 2014 is in a very good place now, but should age well for a few more years. Fresh and elegant, with typical Graves spiciness. Not the most complex but a very solid and seductive effort for the vintage. — 5 years ago

Ira, Josh and 3 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

Liked haut brion and lynch bages better — 12 years ago