The 2021 Haut-Bages Liberal is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful, and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Liberal races across the palate, offering up an enticing melange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar, and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Liberal is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. 94-96pts Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Containing fully 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral offers up aromas of rich berries, plums, loamy soil, licorice and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and youthfully primary, with lively acids and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish, I suspect it will flesh out nicely with élevage to number among the sleepers of the vintage. Tasted twice. 91-93pts William Kelley, Wine Advocate