2006-CHÂTEAU-HAUT-BAGES-LIBERAL-5ème-Cru-Classé-Pauillac

CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBERAL

2006 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Pauillac
Classification 5ème Cru Classé
ABV 14%

Claire Villars told us that in 2006, in a bid for an extra level of finesse, they had left out a parcel of Cabernet which, although good, is always on the marginally rustic side. Very deep colour. Very rich nose, oaky, but also full of meaty, weighty fruit. Concentrated. Spice and mineral, lots of cassis impact but also finer, more seamless and longer than usual. Tannic finish does not take away the charm. Rating: 91 L&S (Apr 2007)


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The Haut Bages Liberal ’06 is still a little closed on the nose with dark plum, mulberry, a touch of truffle coming through. It is a little muted at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied, quite powerful with firm, obdurate tannins, fine delineation towards the grainy, minerally finish with good length, but broody and closed for play at the moment. Drink 2014-2020+ Tasted March 2011. Drinking range: 2014 - 2020 Rating: 89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2011)

Bright ruby-red. Cool aromas of medicinal cherry and smoke. Concentrated, sweet and firmly built, with good intensity to the flavors of dark berries, chocolate and minerals. Very Pauillac, but at the same time supple for the vintage. Finishes with ripe tannins and good balance and richness. This is less austere than the 2005. (My sample of the young 2007 seemed distinctly greener than this 2006 and rather dry.) Rating: 87-89 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May 2008)

(Sept 2007) Shows very well at this stage. Compact, sleek, singing with health. Dry on the finish but shiny and lively. Good for relatively early drinking. 2012-18 Rating: 16 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Sept 2007)

Château Haut Bages Libéral

Pauillac Cinquième cru 1855 Château Haut Bages Libéral sits nearly atop the hill to the south of the hamlet of Bages - hence the name, Haut Bages - seperated by a country lane from Château Latour. The estate was owned by the Libéral family during the 18th Century, hence the last part of the name. Despite being surrounded by illustious neighbours - aside from Latour to the immediate south, Haut Bages Libéral can also count the two Pichons as "next door" - achieving 5th Growth status in 1855 seems to have been a bit of a high point as a century of typically Bordelais decline followed. In 1960 the Cruse family took control and, apart from cleaving off a portion of vineyards and handing them over to Château Pontet-Canet, the fortunes of Haut Bages Libéral began to improve. The Cruse family were forced to sell in 1982 and Château Haut Bages Libéral became part of the Merlaut family's Taillan Group, which includes Chasse Spleen and Gruaud Larose. The 28ha of vineyard are planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine is fermented in stainless steel before spending 16 months in wood (40% new). Whilst not living up to the greatest heights of its neighbour Latour, Haut Bages Libéral offers some very good value for a really well-made Pauillac.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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