Château Haut-Bages Libéral Pauillac 2022 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé BIO

Part of the vineyard borders that of Château Latour and should contribute to the character of this Pauillac. Significant progress is expected in the future, as the owner, Claire Villars-Lurton, decided in 2013 to begin converting her vineyards to biodynamic viticulture. This was necessary because the wine lacked finesse in many vintages.

This wine owes its name to the Libéral family, brokers who owned the estate in the 18th century, and to its geographical location: half of its 30 hectares of vineyards are situated on the Bages plateau, behind Pichon-Baron, while the other half adjoins Château Latour. Acquired (and replanted) by the Cruse family in 1960, the estate passed to the Merlaut-Villars family in 1983, which restored it to its former glory, particularly under the leadership of Claire Villars-Lurton, who has been at the helm since 1999 and is also the owner of Château Ferrière (a classified growth from Margaux).

The wine is very bright, with superb brilliance and notes of luscious red cherries. It’s almost “Burgundian” in its expression of fruit, with an airy quality that makes it very easy to drink.

Owned by the Merlaut family, Haut-Bages Libéral is managed by Claire Villars-Lurton, who also oversees Châteaux Ferrière and La Gurgue. She is working to restore this fifth growth—which boasts a splendid vineyard parcel very close to Latour—to the prestige it deserves. She is a staunch advocate of an approach that prioritizes elegance and refinement. While the wine may sometimes seem to lack a bit of body, its tannic structure has improved significantly.

Haut-Bages Libéral 2022 is powerful and explosive right from the first sip. A wave of dark fruits (cherry and plum), rose petals, blood orange, incense, licorice, and mocha floods the palate. Salty notes linger on the mid-palate, and the finish is exceptionally elegant. This is one of the most exuberant and generous wines by Claire Villars-Lurton that I have tasted. I would recommend letting it age for a few years in the bottle to allow it to gain complexity. Right now, it almost tastes like a sample fresh from the barrel! The purity and primary intensity of the fruit are remarkable. Haut-Bages Libéral was aged in a blend of 40% new oak barrels, 40% first-use barrels, and 20% a mix of concrete tanks and amphorae. It is one of the unsung gems of the 2022 vintage. 2030–2052

A nose typical of a Pauillac, revealing aromas of ripe blackcurrant, graphite, pencil lead, and cocoa powder. Full-bodied on the palate, it offers a harmonious texture, supported by fine, velvety tannins. This wine is full-bodied, harmonious, and long on the finish, with lovely liveliness. It can be enjoyed now thanks to its balance and complexity, but it will reach its full potential after 2027.

I loved the 2022 Château Haut-Bages Libéral, a spicy, complex, and nuanced Pauillac with aromas of blackcurrant and red currant, along with typical notes of freshly sharpened pencil, leather, and flowers. Its structure ranges from medium-bodied to full-bodied; on the palate, it is ripe, pure, and complex, with a finish of remarkable length. It is a magnificent wine that deserves to be discovered. As with many great Pauillacs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it close up in 3 to 5 years, only to come into its own 10 to 12 years after the vintage, with a longevity of about 20 years thereafter. 2033–2053

The nose offers a bouquet of red currants, blackberries, and blackcurrants. The wine’s power is restrained and refined. From the very first sip, the balance between sweetness and acidity is spot-on. Finally, raspberry in all its forms (jelly, fresh, etc.) adds the finishing touch to this delightful wine.

Its nose, with notes of flowers, tobacco, blackberries, leaves, herbs, and cedar, is particularly alluring. The palate confirms this impression with its elegant style, freshness, notes of mint and blackcurrant, marine influences, and chocolatey nuances that enrich the wine’s complexity, blending black and red fruits. This wine exudes remarkable energy, liveliness, and freshness, ensuring a pleasant finish. Its barrel aging has truly brought out its full potential. This blend is composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot. Best enjoyed between 2028 and 2055.