Château Haut-Bages Libéral
In the early 18th century, the Liberal family officially began the history of the Bordeaux wine estate Château Haut-Bages Libéral, renowned and illustrious winery of the area of Pauillac. During the 1700s and 1800s, the Liberals acquired some of the most suitable plots of land in the region, and for this reason, half of the estate's vineyards are now adjacent to historic names such as Château Latour and Château Pichon Baron, located on the summit of a large plateau south of Pauillac known as “Bages.” Due to the great prestige of its vineyards, in the official 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines commissioned by Napoleon III, Château Haut-Bages Libéral was listed among the Cinquièmes Grand Cru Classé. In 1960, the estate was acquired by the Cruse family, already owners of Château Pontet-Canet, who initiated an important renewal program culminating 20 years later with the arrival of the Villars-Merlaut family. Since the 1990s, the winery has been led by Claire Villars Lurton, a visionary producer who has introduced significant innovations both in the vineyard and in the winery.
The 30 hectares of vineyards owned by Château Haut-Bages Libéral are rooted in two different types of soils: one consisting of deep gravel and the other formed by clay and chalky limestone. Furthermore, the presence of draining streams, known as jalles, allows for the elimination of excess rainwater, promoting the deep growth of the root system. In this pedological context, Cabernet Sauvignon stands out as the most representative grape variety, accompanied by a smaller percentage of Merlot. The plants are cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, and for fermentation, only concrete tanks and stainless steel vats of different capacities and always temperature-controlled are used. The aging of the wines, which lasts between 16 and 18 months, takes place in French oak barrels under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
There are two main labels produced by Château Haut-Bages Libéral: the Pauillac Château Haut-Bages Libéral, a red that with its power and refinement reflects the noble attributes of Pauillac wines, and the Pauillac ‘La Chapelle’, the so-called “second wine”, an effective and very pleasant business card of the winery.
In the early 18th century, the Liberal family officially began the history of the Bordeaux wine estate Château Haut-Bages Libéral, renowned and illustrious winery of the area of Pauillac. During the 1700s and 1800s, the Liberals acquired some of the most suitable plots of land in the region, and for this reason, half of the estate's vineyards are now adjacent to historic names such as Château Latour and Château Pichon Baron, located on the summit of a large plateau south of Pauillac known as “Bages.” Due to the great prestige of its vineyards, in the official 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines commissioned by Napoleon III, Château Haut-Bages Libéral was listed among the Cinquièmes Grand Cru Classé. In 1960, the estate was acquired by the Cruse family, already owners of Château Pontet-Canet, who initiated an important renewal program culminating 20 years later with the arrival of the Villars-Merlaut family. Since the 1990s, the winery has been led by Claire Villars Lurton, a visionary producer who has introduced significant innovations both in the vineyard and in the winery.
The 30 hectares of vineyards owned by Château Haut-Bages Libéral are rooted in two different types of soils: one consisting of deep gravel and the other formed by clay and chalky limestone. Furthermore, the presence of draining streams, known as jalles, allows for the elimination of excess rainwater, promoting the deep growth of the root system. In this pedological context, Cabernet Sauvignon stands out as the most representative grape variety, accompanied by a smaller percentage of Merlot. The plants are cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, and for fermentation, only concrete tanks and stainless steel vats of different capacities and always temperature-controlled are used. The aging of the wines, which lasts between 16 and 18 months, takes place in French oak barrels under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
There are two main labels produced by Château Haut-Bages Libéral: the Pauillac Château Haut-Bages Libéral, a red that with its power and refinement reflects the noble attributes of Pauillac wines, and the Pauillac ‘La Chapelle’, the so-called “second wine”, an effective and very pleasant business card of the winery.
