2024 Château Haut Bages Libéral 5. Cru Classé

James Suckling - 95-96

A wonderful wine, showing roasted herbs, fine spices and currants. Very firm and clean-cut with chalky tannins and a lot of vibration. Pure and long. A unique Pauillac marked by the purity, precision and texture of its tannins. Possibly one of the best values from the vintage. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Vinous - 91-93

The 2024 Haut-Bages Libéral was cropped at 30 hl/ha between September 24 and October 4. It's due to be aged for 12 months in 63% new oak barrels and 37% in ovoid amphoras. This has a lucid purple hue. The nose is a little timid at first but opens with a few swirls of the glass, revealing blackberry, wild hedgerow and light tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied, reserved in style and grainy in texture, with lighter tannins than the previous vintages and a graphite-infused finish. Unashamedly classic Pauillac in style, this is a successful biodynamic wine that has a spring in its step.

Decanter - 93

Wonderful aromatics, dark blackcurrants and lovely floral scents. Roses, violets, bramble hedges and tobacco. Lightly framed but glossy, this has a soft presence on the palate with a great energy from start to finish. Fun, friendly, so fruity and fleshy, round and persistent with finessed edges. Salty touches on the finish add a mineral grip and bite. Stylish and very classically Pauillac. A yield of 30hl/ha. Ageing 63% in barrels, including 26% in new barrels, 37% in ovoid concrete tanks and amphorae for 12 months. 3.57pH.