Though more oak-driven than anticipated, the 2012 Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a top-flight performer. Dark-opaque ruby in colour, it exhibits highly inviting aromas of mocha extract, black currants, dark cherries, foest floor, vanilla and spice. Complex, containing deliciously 'chunky' fruit (give it time to mellow), very firm tannins, balanced acidity and a superbly structured hint of mocha and black currants on the finish. Marvellous framework, balance and appellation character; this will keep for quite a long time.
Julian Hitner, February 2015