The 2022 Haut Bages Liberal is a Bordeaux blend hailing from the renowned Pauillac sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This vintage is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, showcasing the classic structure and elegance of a well-crafted Bordeaux blend. The wine is bottled with a cork closure and boasts an alcohol content of 13.9%, with a pH of 3.54.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded the wine a score of 95 points, praising its aromatic complexity, noting scents of “mint-leaf, flowers, plums, and black currants with peppery spices.” Leve highlights the wine's “fresh, bright, soft, energetic, spicy, and floral” palate, and describes the finish as “crisp, chewy, red currant...with a dab of spearmint.”
Similarly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated it 95 points, with William Kelley noting the wine's aromatic profile of “blackberries and cherries mingled with notions of orange zest, rose petals, and violets.” Kelley describes the wine as “medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with lively acids and a bright, chalky finish,” attributing its character to “a decade of organic farming and the limestone subsoils.”
James Suckling, who gave the wine an impressive 97 points, describes it as “lively and energetic,” with “lots of redcurrants and blackcurrants” and “hints of dried herbs.” Suckling emphasizes its “pretty structure and very juicy tannins,” calling it “exciting to taste.”
Jeb Dunnuck, who scored the wine 95 points, notes its “terrific sense of elegance as well as minerality.” He mentions classic Pauillac notes of “ripe black fruits, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and spring flowers,” praising its “ripe tannins, good acidity, and solid overall balance.”
Decanter also echoes these sentiments, awarding the wine 95 points. They describe it as “round and smooth, so pure, like silk,” with “tangy strawberries, raspberries, and black cherries” and “powdery, chalky, and tense tannins.” The publication commends its “intense but controlled and finessed” nature.
Vinous, rating it 96 points, highlights its “entrancing bouquet with blackberry, briary, crushed stone, and light estuarine scents.” Neal Martin describes the palate as “fresh and saline with sculpted tannins, stunning balance, and a mineral finish.”
Lastly, Wine Enthusiast praised the wine with a score of 96 points, noting its “ripe Cabernet,” “rich tannins,” and “wonderful juiciness that adds freshness to the aftertaste.” Roger Voss emphasizes its organic and biodynamic cultivation methods.
Overall, the 2022 Haut Bages Liberal has received stellar reviews, with particular praise for its aromatic complexity, vibrant palate, and elegant structure, making it a standout wine from the Pauillac region.