Who makes it
Claire Villars-Lurton owns Château Haut-Bages-Libéral. Thomas Bontemps is Technical Director, Bruno Ferragu is Cellar Master, and Jean-Luc Mouillac is Vineyard Manager. The estate is a Fifth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Classification, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot at the centre of its red wines.
Where it grows
The estate sits in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux. Pauillac is one of the Left Bank appellations, and the château is positioned on the hills of Bages, a tiny area between Pauillac and St. Julien.
What they make
The estate's grand vin uses approximately 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented in temperature controlled steel tanks. The grand vin is aged for 16 months, with 40% of the ageing carried out in new oak barrels.
The listed vintage shows velvety tannins and an unctuous body. Its fruit profile centres on dark currants, blackberries and cherry, followed by tobacco, cedar and herbs. The 2022 vintage shows fresh, mint accented currants, marine influences and chocolate complexities.