CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL

GRAND CRU CLASSÉ IN 1855, APPELLATION PAUILLAC

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 18TH CENTURY, THE LIBÉRAL FAMILY, OWNERS OF THE CHÂTEAU, FOREVER MARKED THE HISTORY OF THE ESTATE BY ATTACHING THEIR FAMILY NAME TO THE HISTORIC NAME.
OVER TIME, THESE FINE CONNOISSEURS ASSEMBLED THE BEST TERROIRS IN THE SOUTH OF THE PAUILLAC APPELLATION.
THUS, THE ESTATE EXTENDS OVER 30 HECTARES, HALF OF WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE HISTORIC “BAGES” PLOT TO WHICH ITS NAME REFERS.
THE SECOND PART OF THE VINEYARD ADJOINS CHÂTEAU LATOUR AND RUNS ALONG THE ESTUARY OF THE GIRONDE.

THIS PROXIMITY TO THE RIVER GIVES THE HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL VINEYARD A UNIQUE SOIL TYPOLOGY DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF CLAY-LIMESTONE GRAVEL.
AS A RESULT, THE WINE OF CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL INHERITS A MINERAL CHARACTER THAT FURTHER ENHANCES ITS DISTINCTIVENESS.

THE 1855 CLASSIFICATION CROWNED THIS ASCENSION BY AWARDING IT THE TITLE OF GRAND CRU CLASSÉ.

WHEN CLAIRE VILLARS-LURTON TOOK OVER THIS FAMILY ESTATE, SHE FOCUSED ON THE TERROIR, MAKING IT HER MAIN STRATEGY TO ESTABLISH HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL AS A UNIQUE AND ESSENTIAL PROPERTY.

SINCE 2007, BIODYNAMICS AND AGROECOLOGY HAVE BECOME HER ALLIES, ALLOWING HER TO GRADUALLY EXPRESS THE TRUE VOICE AND NATURE OF THE CHÂTEAU.

2017

“EXCELLENT AROMATICS AND THE BACKBONE.” DECANTER – 17/20 PTS

“SHOWS TONED MUSCLES FOR THE VINTAGE.” JAMES SUCKLING – 94-95 PTS

“POSSESSES THE TYPOLOGY AND STRENGTH.” VINUM – 17/20 PTS

“THIS BOTTLE HAS THE UNDENIABLE CHARM SIGNATURE OF THE CRU.” LA RVF – 16.5/20 PTS

THE VINEYARD

30 hectares of clay-limestone gravel around the property and deep gravel on the Bages plateau.

VINIFICATION

Parcel-based and custom vinification (adapted in equipment, duration, and temperatures). Maceration with the addition of an inert gas to stimulate gentle movements. One volume pump-over per day. 24 days of maceration. Vertical pressing to carefully handle the press wine.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

In conversion.

AGING

16 months of aging, including:
40% in new barrels
60% in one-wine barrels

THE TEAM

Owner: Claire VILLARS-LURTON
Production Director: Thomas BONTEMPS
Consulting Oenologist: Éric BOISSENOT

BLEND

72% Cabernet Sauvignon
28% Merlot