Le Haut-Médoc de Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Bages Libéral

Great value left-bank Bordeaux

With Château Haut-Bages Libéral, the “Haut-Bages” part of the name comes from the fact that the estate sits on the highest part of the lieu-dit of Bages, with “Libéral” being the name of the family who acquired it in the 1700s. By the 1800s the winemaking had grown significantly in prestige and reputation, and the estate was awarded the status of Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification. After years of passing through the hands of different owners, it made its way to Jacques Merlaut who bequeathed it to his grand-daughter Claire Villars-Lurton in 2000. Claire is particularly known for her laser focus on sustainability and biodiversity. Together with her husband Gonzague Lurton they run a number of prestigious Bordeaux châteaux, following their philosophy of respecting the land and creating a heritage of sustainably worked vineyards. They now cultivate the largest certified area of biodynamic vineyards in Bordeaux. 

This Haut Médoc is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Merlot, sourced from vineyards just north of Paulliac. The wine spends 18 to 24 days fermenting in stainless steel, before aging in oak barrels for 12 months. The style is fresh and elegant, more subtle than you might expect for such a warm year with fine, linear fruit and supple tannins.

Colour – Red
Producer – Château Haut-Bages Libéral
Country – France
Region – Bordeaux
Vegan – No
ABV – 13%
Grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Vintage – 2016
Sustainability – Organic Conversion
Female Winemaker – Yes
Food Pairings – Roast duck, Fruit-based sauces