2023 CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBÉRAL 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU HAUT BAGES LIBERAL

2025 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac Château Haut Bages Libéral

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Other Certified Organic, Bio-dynamic
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Pauillac
Classification 5ème Cru Classé
ABV 13.2%

We had a fabulous tasting with Claire Villars-Lurton. She always has such an interesting take on the vintage - and in 2025 her Haut Bages Liberal is fantastic. It's a beautifully classic Pauillac expression, combining quiet power with real purity and precision. Already showing superbly, it carries itself with grace and composure on the palate, offering layered aromas and gently complex flavours supported by excellent acidity. There is plenty of structure here, finely milled tannins are svelte and the wine remains remarkably approachable and open-knit even at this early stage. Sourced equally from her vines on the gravelly soils bordering Lynch-Bages and from the limestone parcels shared with Château Latour, the blend captures both energy and finesse. Pure, vibrant and effortlessly poised, this is a wine of real charm and balance. Once again, it represents exceptional value — highly recommended. L&S (Apr 2026)


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The 2025 Haut-Bages Libéral was picked at 32 hl/ha between September 8 and 18 and matured in 35% new oak with 30% in concrete ovoid tanks. What distinguishes this property is that half the vines lie on limestone soils, which is unusual in Pauillac. This has clearly the most beguiling aromatics among the three wines that I tasted with Claire Villars-Lurton, with pure black cherries, cassis and violet scents that burst from the glass. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a silver thread of acidity and, crucially, that tingle from the limestone soils that defines the finish. What a superb and distinctive Pauillac this is. Drinking range: 2031 - 2055 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

Bright and vivid on the nose and palate, with blackberries, black currants, raspberries and violets. It's medium-bodied with firm and racy tannins and a salty undertone in the finish, Such real energy. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Rating: 96-97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

The 2025 Haut-Bages Libéral is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Bright acids and beams of tannin are front and center. In this tasting, it is driven and also very shut down. The saline-drenched finish reverberates with tension. Intense red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and blood orange fill out the layers. Drinking range: 2035 - 2065 Rating: 93-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2026)

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.

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