Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2014

The finesse and aromatic richness of a Pauillac wine

The estate

The Libéral family has headed Château Haut-Bages Libéral 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 Château Haut-Bages Libéral to its former glory by undertaking a total reworking of their vinification tools and orienting their vineyard management towards sustainable viticulture.

The vineyard

Château Haut-Bages Libéral 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 prioritised 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

Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2014 is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) and Merlot (29%).

Winemaking and ageing

The manually harvested grapes are vinified in a plot-based manner in concrete tanks.

Ageing lasts for 16 months in French oak barrels (40% new barrels).

Tasting

Château Haut-Bages Libéral 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