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. — 5 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 — 9 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

Nick Brandon

9.3

Shorter finish than I was expecting.
Cranberry notes, with some spice.
Really good. — 5 years ago

Peter Rosenfeld

9.2

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

Hanibal

9.1

very promising with little red fruit — 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

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château de Fesles – La Chapelle Vieilles Vignes Chenin Sec 2010. Anjou, Loire Valley – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A limited-edition bottling from one of Anjou’s most historic estates, this Chenin Blanc comes from old vines (“vieilles vignes”) rooted in schist soils surrounding the chapel of the domaine. Château de Fesles is renowned for producing some of the Loire’s most age-worthy Chenins, and this 2010 shows just how gracefully the grape can evolve.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex layers of baked quince, dried apricot, acacia honey, chamomile, and lanolin, underpinned by beeswax and a mineral flintiness. Secondary notes of almond and brioche hint at its decade-plus of bottle age.

Mouthfeel
Dry (“sec”) yet textured, with a medium+ body, bright acidity still intact, and a long, savory finish. The balance between freshness and maturity is remarkable, showing both vitality and evolution.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in oak and matured patiently, with low yields from old vines contributing depth and concentration. Loire Chenin’s natural high acidity is what makes wines like this so age-defiant.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted chicken with herbs, veal in cream sauce, or rich seafood like lobster and scallops. A natural match also for aged goat cheese (think Valençay or Crottin de Chavignol).

Verdict
A stunning example of aged Loire Chenin Blanc: vibrant, layered, and endlessly complex. Proof of why Anjou and Loire whites belong among the world’s most cellar-worthy wines. — 8 months 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

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. — 6 years ago

Gil Krakowsky

9.7

Deep, heady, dizzying nose of strawberry compote, cherry liquer, sandalwood, maybe some eucalyptus, and other exotic woods.
palate also brings damp earth, light rose , and a slight sanguine note. More muscular Than I would have expected out of a volnay. But at the same time precise and fresh with energizing acidity creating a nervy tension. Sensational

I should mention that it needed considerable time. Started off very floral and strawberry but somewhat one dimensional. Several hours later was a different wine
— 7 years ago

Alan Factor

9.0

Meaty and spiced start with rich combination of red and black cherry. Slightly firm in the middle, but otherwise very well balanced with a dense, intense finish. I’ve been on a good roll lately of 2014s that have retained their precocious fruit yumminess, and this is another example. — 8 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

Scott Kahn

9.0

Very nice color and acidity - with pebbles, crisp apple and lemon water on the palette. Great starter for a meal. — 2 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

Thomas McKee

9.2

A very nice smooth wine with rich red fruit flavours and a long finish. Paired perfectly with the grilled tenderloins and risotto — 5 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