90+ 2001 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal (Pauillac) 3/3/13 ($25)
12.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet with slight browning, no clearing. (3.0) Bouquet: Mushrooms, elegant forest floor, chalk dust and pen ink complement sweet cassis fruit. (3.5) Body: Solid middleweight plus with excellent fruit, acidity and smooth tannins. Well balanced and elegant. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but with less intensity. (3.0) Finish: Long and elegant with black pepper lingering. (3.0)
Overall: A very enjoyable Pauillac that's ready to go. Smooth and balanced with excellent fruit. More concentration and structure would suit my taste better, but this balanced, relatively easy-going style is typical of the vintage. Does show slight bitterness and black pepper in the finish reminding you that this is Pauillac, not Margaux. (15.5)
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