97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral is huge and explosive right out of the gate. A rush of dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, blood orange, incense, licorice and mocha saturates the palate. Saline notes extend the mid-palate and finish effortlessly. This is one of the most exuberant, ample wines I have tasted from Claire Villars-Lurton. I would give the 2022 a number of years in bottle to shed some baby fat. Today, it tastes almost like a barrel sample! The purity and primary intensity of the fruit is remarkable. The Haut-Bages Libéral was raised in a combination of 40% new oak, 40% once-used barrels and 20% a mix of concrete and amphora. This is one of the under-the-radar gems of 2022. 01/2025

95

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral matured in 40% new oak for 16 months. This is slightly muted for the first couple of minutes, then it opens with very attractive blackberry and bilberry scents. It perhaps has more mineralité than the Ferrière, with just a touch of wild mint in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and cedar, cracked black pepper and saline notes toward the controlled, focused finish. What a wonderful HBL. 01/2025

93

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Aromas of sweet dark berries, bay leaf, violets and cigar ash introduce the 2022 Haut-Bages-Libéral, a medium to full-bodied, lively and layered wine that's fresh and vibrant, with powdery tannins that assert themselves on the somewhat lactic finish. This is a solid effort from this limestone terroir, though it can't quite match the precision of the estate's 2019-2020 duo. 03/2025

96

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

I loved the 2022 Château Haut-Bages Libéral, a spicy, complex, nuanced Pauillac that has both red and black currants, textbook notes of freshly sharpened pencils, leather, and flowers, medium to full body, a ripe, pure, layered mouthfeel, and remarkable length on the finish. It's beautifully done and well worth seeking out. As with many top Pauillac, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it close down in 3-5 years, only to reemerge 10-12 years after the vintage, with a solid two decades of longevity thereafter. 02/2025

94

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité et pur. Ultra minutieux en entrée de bouche, un gras fin conduit la dégustation sur un profil droit et un beau toucher. Noble dans sa saveur et pas du tout pauillacais dans son profil, ce vin fond au palais, juteux et profond dans la persistance. Construction impeccable. C'est très bon. Assemblage : 87 % cabernet sauvignon, 13 % merlot. Degré d’alcool : 13°9 - pH : 3,54. Rendement : 45 hl/ha. Vin en agriculture biologique. 04/2023

96

James Suckling

James Suckling

A classic Pauillac nose, showing ripe currants, graphite, pencil shavings and cocoa powder. Full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless coating of fine, dusty tannins. The wine is broad, dissolved and long, with good drive. Approachable now thanks to its balance and complexity but will be much better after 2027. 02/2025