(Pauillac) Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, a classified growth property in arguably the greatest Cabernet appellation known on the planet, is nevertheless an under-rated and under-appreciated property. This year, the property has delivered a gem of a wine, and they have done so at a price that (in the rarefied world of classified growth Bordeaux) would seem to be embarrassingly low. Deliciously aromatic, this bottling reveals a hint of the up-front 2018 fruitiness, showing classic flavors of currant and blackberry, with notes of lead pencil shavings, leather, and earth. Importantly, the fruit lingers through the mid-palate and well onto the finish, somehow filling in that mid-palate gap. The result is a complete wine of great class, personality, and potential. The tannins are perfectly judged, the fruit shows restraint and yet is abundant; and they’ve done this at a price that many of our customers are looking for.