Haut-Bages Liberal 1995 Pauillac Bordeaux

Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, is a 5th-growth Pauillac estate producing wines of very fine quality at exceptional prices, given the Chateau's geographical location, in the south of the commune, close to Latour and the two Pichons (Baron & Comtesse). Half of the Haut-Bages Liberal vineyards are indeed adjacent to Latour.

Berry Bros & Rudd describes the wines as 'Exemplary clarets at very competetive prices'. Under the current regime of Claire Villars Lurton the wines have shown greater depth and richness of fruit.

Soils are composed of deep gravels on limestone-clay substrate. The average vine age is 35 years, composed of 75% cabernet and 25% merlot.

Beaune & Beyond, importer, notes: 'Deep ruby with terracotta bricking around the rim. Clean with aromas of sweet currants, under growth, leather and tobacco. Medium bodied, with a core of fine flavours of crushed flowers, cassis, sous bois, and leather. High acid lends great backbone... elegant ... (modest) tannins show all the minerality of Pauillac. The core of fruit will give this longer in the bottle but is delicious now. Classic Pauillac.'

This vintage has just recently been shipped into Australia direct from the Chateau's cellars.