Haut-Bages-Libéral Pauillac 2021

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "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. Drink: 2031-2051. (Feb 2024)"

94 points/'Editors' Choice,' Wine Enthusiast: "Rich tannins, generous black fruits and an opulent character mark out this wine. Under the same winemaking team as Ferrière and La Gurgue in Margaux, this exceptional wine comes from an estate that is now biodynamic. Drink this wine from 2025. (May 2019)"

93 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "Very aromatic on the nose, this has savoury, fruit and floral tones; liquorice, cola and earth with cranberries, strawberries and black cherries. Dense and quite darkly fruited on the palate but with a brightness from the acidity giving a mouthwatering attack before the flavours deepen and widen in the mouth. So many layers, really showing the Pauillac power: everything presented in high definition with a bold structure even though the individual elements are so precise and defined. It's racy and confident but also complex with a spiced cedar, clove, cinnamon, liquorice and wet stone/ chalky element to the tannins that fill the mouth and don't let go. A lovely wine with lots of potential from Claire Villars-Lurton! 65% grand vin. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon - the highest percentage ever - and 10% Merlot, which usually comprises between 15 to 25% of the blend. 11.5% press wine. Ageing 16 months, 40% new oak, 40% one-year-old oak, 20% amphoras. Drinking Window: 2025-2045. (Apr 2022)"

93 points James Suckling: "This shows lots of blackcurrants and lead pencil with hints of spices and sandalwood. Medium body with nice fluidity in the center palate and a lovely, juicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Delicious and fine. Drink or hold. (7/8/24)"

92 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "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. Drink: 2027-2045. (2/8/24)"

92 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral, aged 20% in amphorae and bottled in June, has a very typical Pauillac nose with graphite and pencil shavings littered across the black fruit—quite delineated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins and flavors that echo the aromas. Nicely structured with good persistence on the finish, this has developed well during its barrel maturation and should give a lot of pleasure over the next 15 to 20 years. Drink: 2028-2044. (Feb 2024)"

92 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby garnet colour with purple reflections, delicate ochre rim. Delicate blackberry confit and cassis, candied orange zest, some nougat with fine herbal savouriness in the background. Complex, subtle fruit sweetness, good freshness, mineral and persistent, already accessible, has good ageing potential. (3/22/24)"

92 points Rod Smith (TimAtkin.com) (May 2022).