91 2005 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal (Pauillac - Haut Medoc) 11/17/17 ($30)
13% alc
Color: Deep garnet with no browning to speak of. (3.0) Bouquet: Cedary tannins, dusty sticks, black pepper and subtle herbs complement cassis fruit. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight showing excellent, firm tannins and acidity with enough fruit to meet. Coats the mouth very nicely. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but more expressive with loads of Pauillac terroir and black pepper. Also has a nuance of unripe banana mixed in with the cassis. (3.5) Finish: Long with structure and complexity prominent. Needs more time for fruit to open here. (3.0)
Overall: Shows outstanding structure led by firm tannins and excellent acidity. Could use a bit more cassis fruit for the amount of black peppery/cedary tannins, but it's sufficient. May improve in the next 2-5 years or may dry out. Always hard to say for a Bordeaux built like this. Decant for a couple of hours for now drinking and serve with red meat. Outstanding quality. (15.5)
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