Chateau Haut Bages Liberal Pauillac 2019

JS96: Complex nose of blackberries, currants, oyster shells, iodine, gravel, cloves, dried leaves and bark. Medium-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Layered and serious. Extremely long in the finish. Classic Pauillac. 20% aged in concrete. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try after 2026.

WA94: The 2019 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out superbly, offering up aromas of wild berries, cassis, licorice, rose petals and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless palate, its powdery structuring tannins hidden in an ample core of lively, succulent fruit. From biodynamically farmed vineyards located on clay-limestone and gravel soils to the north of Château Latour (as well as a parcel of gravel sandwiched between Pichon-Baron and Lynch-Bages), this is a terrific effort from an estate that deserves to be much better known.