Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2017

A fresh and elegant red wine from Pauillac

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 Pauillac grand cru 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 which aims towards biodynamism. The 30 hectares of vines are cultivated on Garonne-Gunzian gravel upon a clay-limestone substratum.

The vintage

While the episodes of frost at the end of April 2017 affected the southern part of the Medoc vineyard, the best terroirs in Pauillac were spared thanks to protection from the river, which played the role of climate regulator. The berries therefore reached a perfect stage of phenolic ripeness, displaying a wonerful tannin-acidity balance all while retaining great aromatic freshness.

Winemaking and aging

Vinification is carried out in a plot-based manner in concrete tanks. Aging lasts for 16 months and is carried out in new barrels, 40% of which are new.

Blend

Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2017 is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (30%).

Tasting

Derived from a vintage which highlights the purity of its fruit, Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2017 presents a beautiful aromatic freshness, a dense tannic structure as well as a rare elegance and balance.

 

Wine Enthusiast 92/100

Wine Spectator 90-93/100

Vinbladet 93/100