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. — 6 months ago

Michael Phillips

9.5

Lovely balanced mature grenache . Hint of cherries and dark fruit. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2013 vintage. The second wine of La Chapelle, that is now named " Maison Bleue", but an excellent wine in its own right. At 9 years old this is absolutely gorgeous with an expressive nose of blackberries, wild flowers, pepper and leather, enhanced by a subtle smokiness. In the mouth it combines power with elegance, with pure fruit, subtle spices, silky tannins and great length. Terrific value if the mythical La Chappelle doesn't fit your budget. Abv. 13,5% — 4 years ago

Peter C

9.0

Oddly this tastes ripe. Different from other bottles. — 5 years ago

Hanibal

9.1

very promising with little red fruit — 7 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

Chewy, & met spicy ceviche head on — 7 years 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. — 7 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 — 10 months ago

Timothy Lynch

9.3

Yet another overachieving ‘22 Provence rosé; very satisfying after recent Provence vintages produced a cloying totty fruity pop. White flowers with a pinch of pepper greets you on the first swill. There’s some nice pineapple juice in the middle palate that takes you unexpectedly to a dry finish. This is good stuff and certainly worth a try. — 3 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Not as pepper-driven as previous vintage I’ve tasted but still enjoyable and highly quaffable. — 4 years ago

Peter Rosenfeld

9.2

Delicious 2014. Needed 1 hour to sing to us — 5 years ago

Richard List

9.0

Big and bold. — 7 years ago

Manchester Sheldon

9.0

Smokey leather and raspberry, velvety smooth on the palate. A hint of oak in the nose. — 7 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Drinking beautifully! There’s a cool pine resin note that was very intriguing. Paired with Miyazaki Wagyu. — 7 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!
— 9 months ago

Colin Cahoon

8.9

Barnyard funk, ripe red fruit, cinnamon, oak, cloves, and cola. Medium tannins, high alcohol, high acid, and medium finish. Big and hot. — 3 years ago

Michele Weyland

9.1

Rebuy - This is sweet but has an earthy fruity flavor that we loved. — 5 years ago

Pooneet K

8.9

A nice Beaujolais from a vintage that I don’t usually love compared to 2014/2016. Definitely better with an hour or so in a decanter to let the tannins integrate a bit more. Dark purple in the glass - darker than expected. Nice cherry aromas. Still could resolve a bit more on the finish but with a slight chill is nice. — 7 years ago

Pablo Garcia

9.2

Fresh, medium body.. red fruits.. sweetish finish...a bit tart but great with food — 7 years ago

Anne Rhodes

9.0

Big, mineral flavor. Great even without food. — 8 years ago