Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, Pauillac, Bordeaux, 2009

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Slightly green nose, more red fruits than black. Quite rich, suave, concentrated, with a curious minty tone. Yet it doesn’t develop on the palate; rather lean and pinched. Moderate length, with some dry tannins on the finish.

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Full-bodied, black fruit nose, lots of weight. Slightly short of real concentration on the palate, a bit grainy and weedy on the finish. Not the finesse and depth one expects from 2009.

Tasting: Medoc crus classes 2009

Dense black-red, concentrated and lifted blackcurrant nose, lots of rich and robust fruit and lots of tannin. Chunky and four-square, but lots of fruit and a good, solid future.