2016 Château Haut-Bages-Libéral
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has quite a bold and forward bouquet with plenty of blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, cedar and menthol, the latter becoming more prominent with time. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins, but there is plenty of fruit here, old school, with a touch of white pepper on the aftertaste. Good potential. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Open and expressive, with aromas of black currants, dried flowers and fruit. Medium-bodied with balanced, integrated, incisive tannins that add definition. Long and expressive. Already approachable. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
This has really picked up steam over the past few years. Now, you find a classic Pauillac, medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, and floral, with hints of tobacco, cherries, currants, and spice. The palate is loaded with sweet, red currants, spice, herbs and cassis. Drink 2024-2045.
The 2016 Haut Bages Libéral is lively and detailed on the nose, the aromas springing up from the glass suggesting black currant, raspberry, cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained, quite pliant tannins and good acidity. Smooth, harmonious and surprisingly approachable. Though you could broach this in a couple of years, it has the substance to give a few decades of drinking pleasure. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.