Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Red blend – 2022
Pauillac AOC – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Left Bank classicism meets modern precision. A Cabernet-dominant blend at 87% and 13% Merlot that showcases Pauillac’s hallmark structure wrapped in surprising elegance. Certified organic and biodynamic, made by Claire Villars-Lurton, one of the leading women in Bordeaux.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, plum skin, and violets with subtle tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and cocoa. Young, fresh, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished, seamless texture. Harmonious and structured with a delicious, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom ragù, or aged Comté.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, terroir-driven Pauillac that delivers finesse without sacrificing power. Delicious now, but built to evolve gracefully.

Did You Know?
Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a Fifth Growth from the 1855 Classification, situated next on to Château Latour. The “Libéral” family were 18th-century négociants who selected some of Pauillac’s best parcels, many still form the estate today. — 11 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Drinking beautifully! There’s a cool pine resin note that was very intriguing. Paired with Miyazaki Wagyu. — 2 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

This is a superstar wine in 22 and now 23. They also could not be more different. Stunning nose of ripe mid to late season cherry and a hit of kirsch. Stunning fruit clarity. Gorgeous stoniness and elegant herbs. Terrific tiny berry fruit intensity. Elite finesse and shows the silkiness of this brilliant site. The tannins are stoney and big but ripe and sweet. This doesn’t have the decadence of the 2022. Great freshness and has that chord progression fruit that is a signature of 2023. Unreal silkiness. Gorgeous wine but will be better with a few more hours of air. Oh it’s getting opulent like this site does and wow the energy is off the charts. Tannins melting into fruit. After 5-6 hours this is just insane. The energy of 23 and the opulence of 22. Genius!
— 4 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Acker birthday auction. Delicious — a month ago

Austin Hohnke

8.9

70% Pinot and 30% Gamay. Pretty feisty right out of the gate. Immediately reads Burgundian, true to place. Could probably use a bit more time to settle in. — 2 months ago

David Valenti

9.0

Mocha, tobacco and black cherry. Gentle tannins supporting a strong thick body, albeit a pinch of dry on the palate. — 3 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Great second wine here. Yes probably too young but with 2 hours in the decanter this was singing. In another couple of years 94. Super wine — 4 days ago

Vitaly Domnenko

9.1

Bm+. Tm. Am. Fm. 7years. — a day ago

Dave

8.9

This checks all the boxes, considering the price. The faintest bit of rubber tires under the cherry nose. Cherries, tobacco leaf, orange peel bitterness. Under some oak influence, but not off putting.
Listening to Paganini. French wine with an Italian composer 🤔 nice pairing, though. — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.9

PJW 6 pack for his visit - this is OTH, definitely some funk, Paul says wasn’t kept well, but great bones, it really grew on me as it opened - smoky, a bit of cobwebs, love it. Should seek out a ‘16 — 4 months ago