Haut Bages Liberal 2016

The 2016 Haut-Bages Libéral has turned out beautifully. Rose petals, lavender and sweet red cherry are some of the notes that grace this fine, translucent Pauillac. Medium in body and precise, with exquisite finesse and nuance, the 2016 is incredibly expressive today. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Claire Villars Lurton. Drink 2022 - 2041.

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. 2023 - 2045

The 2016 Haut-Bages-Libéral has a focused, delineated bouquet of blackberry, cedar and pencil lead aromas – a straight-down-the-fairway Pauillac. The palate is well balanced with sappy black fruit, and a light marine influence develops with aeration. I like the grip here. This is a denser HBL than recent years, with a saline finish that lingers. Very fine. Drink 2023-2045