The finesse and aromatic richness of a Pauillac wine
The estate
The Liberal family has headed Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal since the beginning of the 18th century. Over time, these fine connoisseurs have brought together the best terroirs in Pauillac. This grand cru on the left bank of Bordeaux has been owned by the Villars family since 1983, who has restored Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal to its former glory by undertaking a total reworking of their vinification tools and orienting their vineyard management towards sustainable viticulture.
The vineyard
Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal is a wine made from organic farming and aims for biodynamism. The 30 hectares of vines are cultivated on Garonne-Gunzian gravel upon a clay-limestone substratum.
The vintage
A rainy and mild winter encouraged an early start to the vines’ crop cycle. Although April was hot, May was cool, wet and punctuated by peaks in heat, which led to a little flower abortion and millerandage on precocious vines. High temperatures in early June were conducive to uniform ripening for the rest of the vineyard. These conditions increased the risk of disease and required a higher level of vineyard surveillance. From the end of June to September, repeated rainfall alternated with rather cool temperatures. The vines thus prioritized their foliage over grape ripening, delaying ripening to the end of August. The exceptionally beautiful autumn saved the vintage thanks to an Indian summer marked by hot and dry days until the end of October.
Blend
Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2014 is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) and Merlot (29%).
Winemaking and aging
The manually harvested grapes are vinified in a plot-based manner in concrete tanks.
Aging lasts for 16 months in French oak barrels (40% new barrels).
Tasting
Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2014 unveils concentrated and fine tannins, beautiful aromas of crisp fruit as well as a perfect balance.
Ratings
James Suckling: 95/100
Bettane+Desseauve: 17/20
The 2014 Haut Bages Liberal has a slightly subdued bouquet at the moment: black fruit with woodland and cedar aromas, though I feel that vis-a-vis its peers, it needs more fruit to come through. The palate is better with redcurrant and cranberry, edgy in the mouth with slightly dry tannin on the finish. Saline on the finish, this is a decent Haut Bages Liberal, though it needs to knit together and gain more persistence in the mouth.