Back to wine list
2023 CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBÉRAL 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBERAL

2024 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac Château Haut Bages Libéral

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Other Bio-dynamic, Certified Organic
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Pauillac
Classification 5ème Cru Classé
ABV 13%

Sitting down with Claire Villars Lurton is always one of the highlights of our primeur trip to Bordeaux. Fascinatingly honest and open about the vintage, she explains with clarity the ups and downs of life as a bio-dynamic farmer in Bordeaux. 2024 was not without its tests - and yet, she has made some wonderful wines this year. The 2024 Haut Bages Liberal is a winner in this complicated year. After a moment in the glass this is pretty, with lovely floral aromatics - hedgerow flowers and red pops of fruit. To the palate there is a lovely wash of red berries - peppy and bright with smashed raspberries and red cherry juiciness. Its not broad or powerful - a more zippy, energetic feel. Very Pauillac - but not emphatic. Claire reminds us that this juicy energy is not just a result of a cool summer - much more a reflection of the limestone that is a key note for one of her plots down near the river. This is charmingly sophisticated. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. L&S (Apr 2025)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


94 Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 Merlot, 1 Cabernet Franc: 40% new oak, 40% one-year-old oak, 20% in ovoid concrete vats: 13% alc: 3.57 pH: Harvested between 24 September – 4 October

A remarkable brightness of tannin and acidity is evident here, which is amplified by this property’s resolute owners and their dedication to biodynamism. While the fruit appears less luscious and upholstered than many Pauillacs, the style and accuracy found here are superb. While many estates have made relatively precocious wines, this is a rapier-sharp and amazingly dynamic wine, loaded with pristine, brittle minerality and stays resolutely honest and impactful, singing the uninterrupted song of its soils. 18+/20 Rating: 18+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2025)

The 2024 Haut-Bages Libéral was cropped at 30 hl/ha between September 24 and October 4. It's due to be aged for 12 months in 63% new oak barrels and 37% in ovoid amphoras. This has a lucid purple hue. The nose is a little timid at first but opens with a few swirls of the glass, revealing blackberry, wild hedgerow and light tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied, reserved in style and grainy in texture, with lighter tannins than the previous vintages and a graphite-infused finish. Unashamedly classic Pauillac in style, this is a successful biodynamic wine that has a spring in its step. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)

A wonderful wine, showing roasted herbs, fine spices and currants. Very firm and clean-cut with chalky tannins and a lot of vibration. Pure and long. A unique Pauillac marked by the purity, precision and texture of its tannins. Possibly one of the best values from the vintage. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2025)

Château Haut Bages Libéral

Pauillac Cinquième cru 1855 Château Haut Bages Libéral sits nearly atop the hill to the south of the hamlet of Bages - hence the name, Haut Bages - seperated by a country lane from Château Latour. The estate was owned by the Libéral family during the 18th Century, hence the last part of the name. Despite being surrounded by illustious neighbours - aside from Latour to the immediate south, Haut Bages Libéral can also count the two Pichons as "next door" - achieving 5th Growth status in 1855 seems to have been a bit of a high point as a century of typically Bordelais decline followed. In 1960 the Cruse family took control and, apart from cleaving off a portion of vineyards and handing them over to Château Pontet-Canet, the fortunes of Haut Bages Libéral began to improve. The Cruse family were forced to sell in 1982 and Château Haut Bages Libéral became part of the Merlaut family's Taillan Group, which includes Chasse Spleen and Gruaud Larose. The 28ha of vineyard are planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine is fermented in stainless steel before spending 16 months in wood (40% new). Whilst not living up to the greatest heights of its neighbour Latour, Haut Bages Libéral offers some very good value for a really well-made Pauillac.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
  • For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
  • We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
  • Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
  • Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.

RELATED PRODUCTS

ORDER     COLLECT

ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS