Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Red blend – 2022
Pauillac AOC – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Left Bank classicism meets modern precision. A Cabernet-dominant blend at 87% and 13% Merlot that showcases Pauillac’s hallmark structure wrapped in surprising elegance. Certified organic and biodynamic, made by Claire Villars-Lurton, one of the leading women in Bordeaux.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, plum skin, and violets with subtle tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and cocoa. Young, fresh, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished, seamless texture. Harmonious and structured with a delicious, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom ragù, or aged Comté.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, terroir-driven Pauillac that delivers finesse without sacrificing power. Delicious now, but built to evolve gracefully.

Did You Know?
Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a Fifth Growth from the 1855 Classification, situated next on to Château Latour. The “Libéral” family were 18th-century négociants who selected some of Pauillac’s best parcels, many still form the estate today. — 13 days ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Black cherry, good. Bought at Mitsukoshi for ¥5,000. — 5 years ago

Joakim Bogström

9.3

Awesome balance. Feels and tastes Bordeaux. Red fruits, dried dark fruits, tobacco, dried herbs. Quite interesting notes of mint. Medium high integrated acidity. Semi full bodied w/ hints of oak. But not distinctive, as it osften is in Cali wines.
Medium finish.
Great wine. — 8 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Drinking well with some air. Showing deep garnet in the glass. Dark, stewed blackberry and mulberry with potting soil, sarsaparilla, incense, licorice, and wood spice. Classic left bank. About 3/4 Cab and 1/4 Merlot. — 7 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2015 vintage. Claire Villars and Gonzague Lurton started in Chalk Hill with the 2012 vintage. This 2015 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and the remainder Merlot. A bit oaky on first impact, but the fruit is more present the next day so decanting is recommended. Slightly jammy black fruit, with good acidity and length. A very good wine, if not in the same league as Ferrière (and more expensive, at least here in Bordeaux). An estate to watch nevertheless. — 4 years ago

Yuki Watanabe

9.0

Ripe fruits, hint of spice, oak welcomes the first sip, balanced tannin , good value wine — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.3

The 2019 Durfort-Vivens was matured in two-thirds new oak barrels and one-third in amphorae. Plush on the nose with blueberry and violet scents, this is Margaux in style though much tighter than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine delineation and poise. It's pretty delineated towards the finish that shows more mineralité than previous vintages. There is an appealing linearity here, a trait that Gonzague Lurton seeks in his wines. Excellent. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2019 vintage. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot A gorgeous elegant Margaux, crafted by Claire Villars- Lurton.... — 4 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Deep. Plums. Earth. Lightly vegetal.
Showing it’s Biodynamicism. Drinking beautifully. — 5 years ago