Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2018

The richness and smoothness of a red wine from Pauillac in an exceptional vintage

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 Pauillac grand cru 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 in the process of obtaining the Organic Farming certification and aims towards biodynamism. The 30 hectares of vines are cultivated on Garonne-Gunzian gravel upon a clay-limestone substratum.

Winemaking and ageing

Traditional vinification is carried out in concrete tanks. Plot-based selection. Ageing, which lasts for 16 months, is carried out in new barrels, 40% of which are new.

Blend

The Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2018 is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (79%) and Merlot (21%).

Tasting

Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2018 seduces with its intense expression and precision alongside generous fruit. The palate is indulgently mouth-coating, deploying a deliciously smooth tannic structure with a silky touch. The beautiful acidity imparts a great level of freshness and a beautiful ageing capacity. Representative of the classic style of a great Pauillac wine and generous at the same time, the Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2018 has marked itself as one of the estate’s great years. Indeed, the quality of this vintage echoes the richness and indulgence of the 2009, as well as the power and smoothness of the tannic structure of the 2016.

James Suckling 97/100

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92-93/100

Bettane+Desseauve 17/20