Chateau Haut Bages Liberal Pauillac, 1986

English wine writer Clive Coates and other critics gave this 1986 Haut Bages Liberal high marks when it was released in the 1980s. Wine drinkers on Cellar Tracker have also given it high praise in the past year, but I was somewhat disappointed in this bottle.

Medium to light garnet. More dark cherry than blackcurrant but some cassis, leather, lead pencil, tobacco. A bit funky around the edges but I don't think it is corked. When given proper attention, the wine offers up some complex flavors on the mid-palate and finish