2023 Haut Bages Liberal

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral is a potent, virile wine. In many vintages, Haut-Bages Libéral is a bit more pliant and inviting, but the 2023 is a wine that is going to need time to come around. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of black fruit, leather, lavender, licorice, incense and gravel. The 2023 was aged for 16 months in 40% new barrels, 40% once-filled barrels and 20% in a mix of amphora and concrete ovals. I can't wait to see how this ages.

The 2023 Haut-Bages Libéral has a very fine bouquet, black fruit mixed with cedar and pencil-shaving scents that is classical in style, not powerful but nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Fine weight, driven by the 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, so that there is weight and density on the finish. This deserves four to five years in bottle. Excellent.

This has an attractive, expressive nose of cassis, graphite, blue and red fruit and a subtle floral lift. Medium- to full-bodied with impressive depth and energy, it shows chalky, vibrant tannins that bring focus and definition. Expansive yet controlled, with great tension and length. A blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot, aged in new French oak barrels, concrete and amphorae. Already pleasant, but will evolve beautifully with time. Drink or hold.