2006 Haut Bages Liberal

The 2006 Haut Bages Liberal has a gentle, but respectable bouquet with better fruit intensity than the 2006 Grand Puy Ducasse. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, pleasing weight in the mouth, a keen line of acidity with an attractive, saline finish that begs another sip. Probably not the most glamorous wine of the vintage, but this is a very good effort. Tasted April 2016.

Firm crimson. Dense and dry. Chewy, a tad light. Must say I would not pay this price. (JR)

Brooding purple. Sweet, vanilla oak on the nose is a bit jarring. Otherwise there is (just) enough fruit ripeness but it's a bit tiringly tart and astringent on the finish. Needs quite a bit of time. (JR)