(a blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon and 28% merlot) Medium-dark ruby. Fruity, bright aromas of red cherry, red berries and flowers, complicated by cedar and graphite. Then light and lively in the mouth, with strawberry, raspberry and smoky dark cherry flavors complicated by hints of white pepper and gunflint. The finish features a lingering floral note and chewy tannins that will need some time to resolve but seem polished enough to guarantee a bright future. This is an excellent, classically styled Haut-Bages Liberal, just a step below the first growths: I loved its balance, refined texture and sneaky concentration, though it might fail to impress those looking for a large quantity of creamy, soft fruit.

One of the best efforts from this estate since the 1982, this wine remains fairly priced. It exhibits ripe blue and black fruits, a dense plum/purple color, good acidity buttressing a remarkably rich, fleshy, sumptuous texture, and oodles of smoky black currant and blueberry fruit. Ripe, heady and rich, this wine will probably benefit from 2-5 years of cellaring despite its precociousness and keep for two decades. Drink: 2015 - 2035
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(91-93 pts)
2010: The finest Haut-Bages-Liberal I have tasted in many years, this sleeper of the vintage exhibits a blue/purple hue as well as projected aromatics of blue and black fruits, spring flowers and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with moderately high tannins, a layered mouthfeel and a long finish, it should be at its best between 2017 and 2035.

Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Haut Bages Liberal has a classic, graphite-led Pauillac nose with fine definition, although it is a little closed at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied and quite caressing. There are hints of cranberry, blackberry and a touch of soy, with a refined finish. What a lovely Pauillac. Tasted November 2012

(90-92 pts)
Tasted at the chateau and at the UGC, cropped at 42hl/ha, the Haut-Bages-Liberal 28% Merlot and 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has a very well defined nose of blackberry, briary, wild hedgerow and a touch of crushed stone. With a little aeration there is a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, quite succulent tannins on the entry that belies the backbone underneath. Good grip, though showing more silkiness under sunny skies and high pressure the following week at the UGC. Tasted April 2011.

Shows friendly mocha and roasted tobacco up front, followed by a mouthfilling core of blackberry, plum and cassis. The dense but velvety finish has nice latent grip. —J.M.

5th Growth Pauillac (13.7%) [70CS/30M] Fresh cabernet nose; minerally blackcurrant with a touch of oak; moderately concentrated, lively middleweight with a fine, firm tannin; a rich, soft core of very nice pebbly blackcurrant fruit, moderate complexity, and a long, briskly juicy finish. A satisfyingly fine sinewed Pauillac, particularly harmonious for the cru. 2020-30+ [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2011]

Black cherry, furry tannins, pretty simple. Plenty of structure, not enough fruit and complexity. (RH)

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Definite aroma of blood/iron, then herbaceous. Dry and rather lean on the palate – might become more elegant? Slightly tart on the finish. (JH)