Haut Bages Libéral (BIO-ORGANIC) - Pauillac 2021

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/2/2024

The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, mocha, plum, licorice and incense are all amplified in a brooding, dense Pauillac endowed with notable textural richness and tons of sheer power. Aeration releases the wine's bracing aci

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, mocha, plum, licorice and incense are all amplified in a brooding, dense Pauillac endowed with notable textural richness and tons of sheer power. Aeration releases the wine's bracing acidity and aromatics, yet the 2021 remains quite rich. Yields were just 31.5 hectoliters-per-hectare, about 30% lower than normal. Haut-Bages Libéral is a rare 2021 that needs time to shed some of its considerable baby fat. It's a seriously impressive wine from Claire Lurton. The 2021 was aged 40% in new oak, 40% in once-filled barrels and 20% in a combination of amphora and concrete vat.

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe2/22/2024

The 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out nicely, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, minty berries, pencil shavings and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's impressively concentrated, built around a muscular frame of ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully structured finish. It will reward a bit of patience. 92+

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

This is already open and delicious with cherry, cassis, blueberry and chocolate-orange character. Some peach notes, too. Medium to full body with velvety, ripe and plush tannins. Caressing, yet it remains firm and solid. Lovely, creamy finish. 90% cabernet sauvignon and 10% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.

Bettane & Desseauve

92-93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

L’agriculture vertueuse pratiquée par le cru a incontestablement fait progresser le vin dans le sens d’un corps plus harmonieux et d’une texture plus complexe, préservée par un élevage mixte (bois et terre cuite). Très forte proportion de cabernet-sauvignon (90 %). L’ensemble s’orient plus vers le registre floral que sur celui du tabac, avec une souplesse de tannin qui fera son succès.

Alexandre Ma

90-92

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

Haut-Bages Libéral has increased the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon to 90% in the vintage of 2021, which is the highest if I remember correctly. The floral and fruity aromas are relatively reserved and are dominated by ink, pencil lead, and mild orchid. I really like the pure and refreshing palate of this wine. If the tannins become silkier on the finish, it will be even better. Haut-Bages Libéral ?2021??????????????90%,??????????????????????????,?????????????????????????Haut-Bages Libéral??????????????????????????????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Flowers and tobacco leaf accompany the bright red fruits on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with a softness as well as sweetness in the fresh red currants on the palate, and a touch of refreshing spearmint in the finish. The wine will be easy to enjoy just about on release. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. This represents the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend in the history of the estate, 13.2% ABV. Drink from 2024-2039. 90-92

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

91

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral contains the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever, the Merlot having been affected by the mildew. Matured in 40% new oak, 40% one-year-old barrels and 20% amphorae, this is curiously Margaux-like, almost more than Durfort-Vivens! Floral and elegant, opening nicely with aeration without pushing the accelerator hard. The palate is medium-bodied and very smooth in texture, maybe just needing a little more tension, but there is decent weight and a cohesive, chalky finish. Very fine, though I lean more toward the Durfort-Vivens this year.

Vinous

94-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place.

vvwine

92-94

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Leicht reduktive Nase, öffnet sich dann, zeigt eine intensive Frucht und praktisch kein Barrique. Im Gaumen cremig, mit mittlerem Körper, einer markanten Tanninstruktur, die Gerbstoffe sind hochwertig, umgarnen die intensive, perfekt reife Frucht. Im Abgang von sehr guter Länge und mit terroirbetontem, rotfruchtigen Rückaroma. Ein ausgezeichneter Wein. 2027-2048 (Verkostet im April 2022. Daniel Vins)

Anthocyanes

92-94

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Assemblages réalisés. Pourcentage de cabernet le plus élevé pour cette propriété. 30 hl/ha, beaucoup de mildiou cette année. Fruits noirs, mure, fraise écrasée, cassis et notes florales (iris et violette). Bouche charnue, bien en place, belle prise de bois avec des notes de bois blanc, de poivre, de graphite, d'épices et des tanins structurants et un peu durs en finale. Rien de grave, on ressent la puissance du terroir pour ce vin qui possède un très beau potentiel de garde.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

Containing fully 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral offers up aromas of rich berries, plums, loamy soil, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and youthfully primary, with lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish, I suspect it will flesh out nicely with élevage to number among the sleepers of the vintage. Tasted twice.