Le Point 16,5 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 Fruits noirs, épicé, bien ouvert, tanins fins, veloutés, frais, bien enrobés, bon équilibre, milieu de bouche étoffé.
Vinifera 90-92 / 100 byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018 Magnifique nez de baies noires et de suie, poivré, élégant, très fin et de grande classe, propre à la noble origine de son terroir. Le vin est superbement élégant, finement tramé, sans creux et il finit sur la persistance. Beau rapport qualité/prix prévisible.
Vinous 89-92 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 The 2017 Haut-Bages Libéral is dense, pliant and nuanced, with plenty of red cherry, blood orange, smoke and spice notes that give the wine a decidedly exotic character. There is good depth and resonance to the 2017, if not quite the finesse or balance of the other wines in Claire Lurton's range. Haut-Bages Libéral is now a fully biodynamic property.
Vinous 89-91 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Haut-Bages-Libéral offers blackberry and cedar on the nose, classically flaired and nicely defined though perhaps a little conservative in style compared to others. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin although it lacks a little density in the middle and tapers towards the finish with pencil shavings “liberally” sprinkled over the aftertaste. I suspect that this Pauillac will drink nicely over the next decade. Tasted at the UGC trade tasting.
Decanter.com 89 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 Ripe but savoury cassis, with more of a bud than fruit character. This is gentle and insisting, a lovely build up of different elements of fruit, tobacco and charcoal. They had higher yields than last year here, as at many Pauillac estates. It's their first year of 100% conversion with Demeter, although they have been progressively converting over last few years and are already Ecocert certified. It will be ready to drink within five to eight years. 40% new oak for six months. Drinking Window 2025 - 2035
WeinWisser 17 / 20 byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018 Dichtes Ru-bingranat. Feines Himbeerbouquet sowie rotes Cassis und duftiges Johannisbeer-gelee. Am straffen Gaumen mit engem, massivem Muskelpaket und sandig-tro-ckenem Extrakt. lm verhaltenen Finale zeigt das Kraftpaket wenig, die Frucht ist verkapselt, Anklânge an Graphit, schwarze Oliven und Wachoider sowie strenger Adstringenz. Ich hoffe, der legt noch zu. Potenzialwertung. 17/20 2025 - 2038
Wine Enthusiast 91-93 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018 This is a solid, foursquare style of wine with some firm tannins that should soften as the fruit develops. There is brightness and plenty of fruit at the core, waiting its turn. Drink from 2024.
Jamessuckling.com 94-95 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 Tannic and linear with blackberry and currant character. Full body, tight and chewy with a polished texture and excellent length. Shows toned muscles for the vintage. Demeter certified biodynamic.
Wine Spectator 90-93 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 Solid, with dark plum and currant fruit forming the core, while tobacco and iron accents add bass and cut through the finish. Has the fresh cut of the vintage.—J.M.