2023, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, PAUILLAC, Grand Cru Classé

Last Year EP $71.00-

5th Growth 1855
2023 is 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot.

A very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the centre-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchy minerality from part of the vineyard in limestone.  From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
95-96 James Suckling.

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral is fabulous. Deep, layered and exquisitely beautiful, the 2023 bristles with tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, leather, menthol and liquorice grace a wine of depth, richness and sensuality. It's a terrific effort from proprietor Claire Villars-Lurton.
94-96 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.

The 2023 Haut-Bages-Libéral is very promising, bursting with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and suave palate with an enveloping core of fruit, lively acids typical of this limestone terroir, and sweet, powdery tannins.
93-95 William Kelley, Wine Advocate

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral  was quite backward when I tasted it, though Claire Villars-Lurton commented that it had just closed down the week that I visited. It will be more open once in bottle. The palate is more indicative: clean, fresh, linear and nicely focused, with more grip than the Ferrière. Touches of graphite linger on the finish. This is very classically styled, and there is nothing wrong with that-a wine for Pauillac purists and those seeking wines with less sulphites.
92-94 Neal Martin.