Château Haut-Bages Liberal 2016

VertdeVin

The nose is fruity , elegant , racy , well-built and offers a beautiful definition . It reveals notes of strawberry and more slightly black cherry associated with small touches of wild raspberry , cassis as well as hints of gray pepper , spices , graphite and a very discreet hint of caramelization . The palate is fruity , juicy , elegant and offers a beautiful definition , a beautiful suavity , a beautiful precision / aromatic purity , tension, a beautiful finesse, fat, fullness , dynamism , a beautiful acidulous frame as well as a good guideline. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry , fleshy cassis and more slightly cherry associated with tpouches of crushed wild strawberry , liquorice as well as discreet hints of tonka bean . Tannins are fine and elegant .

Wine Enthusiast

Rich tannins, generous black fruits and an opulent character mark out this wine. Under the same winemaking team as Ferrière and La Gurgue in Margaux, this exceptional wine comes from an estate that is now biodynamic. Drink this wine from 2025.

Adrian van Velsen - vvWine.ch

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 Haut Bages Liberal has a very focused and much more sumptuous bouquet than in previous years, thankfully without dispensing any of its character. It just seems more confident on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, pretty blackberry and boysenberry fruit laced with a touch of oyster shell, sashaying towards a quite elegant finish with admirable depth. You would not describe this as a potentially exciting Pauillac, but I suspect it will be delicious once in bottle.