About the Wine

Château Haut-Bages Libéral is in an exclusive category in the wine world. It’s one of just 18 estates honored as aFifth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. But the Libéral family’s wine history predates that honor. The family began as négociants in the 1700s, passing the business from father to son. When they purchased the property that is now Château Haut-Bages Libéral, the family’s reputation for excellence was well-known, eventually earning the estate its respected classification.

Today, Château Haut-Bages Libéral is owned by Claire Villars-Lurton whose family purchased it in the early 1980s. Claire and her husband Gonzague Lurtonalso own Château Domeyne in Saint-Estèphe and Northern California’s Trinité Estate. Gonzague also owns Château Durfort-Vivens, a Second Classified Growth in Margaux.

In 2019, Claire achievedorganic and biodynamic certification for all 74 acres of the estate’s vineyards, including the ones next to next to the famed First Growth Château Latour and Second Groth Château Pichon Lalande. 

The winemaking is overseen by no other than legend Eric Boissenot. Today, Eric consults at forty of the 1855 Classified estates including Lafite, Margaux, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Leoville Las Cases, and Ducru Beaucaillou.

Between the vineyards’deep gravel over limestone and clay soils, the meticulous care of the terroir, and a vintage that Vinous Media gave an enthusiastic 92-94 points, and said: " The 2021 Bordeaux have turned out to be such a surprise. The best wines offer a striking combination of old-school classicism with modern-day precision."

Aging: French oak barrels for 16 months. 40% of new oak; a portion in amphorae.

Tasting Notes: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. A beautiful classic Bordeaux with dark fruits and violets on the nose. Rich and round blueberries and blackberries with tannins meant for aging. 

Reviews

The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, mocha, plum, licorice and incense are all amplified in a brooding, dense Pauillac endowed with notable textural richness and tons of sheer power. Aeration releases the wine's bracing acidity and aromatics, yet the 2021 remains quite rich. Yields were just 31.5 hectoliters-per-hectare, about 30% lower than normal. Haut-Bages Libéral is a rare 2021 that needs time to shed some of its considerable baby fat. It's a seriously impressive wine from Claire Lurton. The 2021 was aged 40% in new oak, 40% in once-filled barrels and 20% in a combination of amphora and concrete vat. ~95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Almost pure Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has very fine, sophisticated black-currant aromas, followed by dark tannins on the palate. It's fine acidity is reflected in the rich flavors that are structured with a rounded aftertaste. ~94 Wine Enthusiast

Very aromatic on the nose, this has savoury, fruit and floral tones; liquorice, cola and earth with cranberries, strawberries and black cherries. Dense and quite darkly fruited on the palate but with a brightness from the acidity giving a mouthwatering attack before the flavours deepen and widen in the mouth. So many layers, really showing the Pauillac power: everything presented in high definition with a bold structure even though the individual elements are so precise and defined. It's racy and confident but also complex with a spiced cedar, clove, cinnamon, liquorice and wet stone/ chalky element to the tannins that fill the mouth and don't let go. A lovely wine with lots of potential from Claire Villars-Lurton!65% grand vin. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon - the highest percentage ever - and 10% Merlot, which usually comprises between 15 to 25% of the blend. 11.5% press wine. Ageing 16 months, 40% new oak, 40% one-year-old oak, 20% amphoras. ~93 Decanter

This shows lots of blackcurrants and lead pencil with hints of spices and sandalwood. Medium body with nice fluidity in the center palate and a lovely, juicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Delicious and fine. Drink or hold. ~93 James Suckling

The 2021 Haut-Bages-Libéral has turned out nicely, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, minty berries, pencil shavings and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's impressively concentrated, built around a muscular frame of ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully structured finish. It will reward a bit of patience. ~92 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

~92 Tim Atkin, Master of Wine

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