Tech Notes
Wine Details
James Suckling
Wine Enthusiast
Antonio Galloni
Decanter
Wine Spectator
The Wine Cellar Insider
Jancis Robinson
By Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal
Pauillac 2017
History
The Liberal family was the former property owner from the beginning of the 18th century. Both the father and son being brokers, sold most of the harvest in the Netherlands and Belgium. Over time, these fine connoisseurs brought together the best terroirs of Pauillac. This fifth Classified Growth of 1855 now has half of its vineyard contiguous to Chateau Latour and the other half behind Chateau Pichon Baron, located on the heights of Bages, a large plateau in the south of Pauillac. This superb vineyard would regain its youth when in 1960, the Cruse family, the owners of Chateau Pontet-Canet - also a fifth Classified Growth in Pauillac - acquired the property. They launched a vast program to replant the vines. However, it was not until the arrival of the Villars family in 1983 that Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal regained its former glory. Today, Claire Villars Lurton is the estate's owner and has initiated a complete overhaul of the winemaking facilities. She has directed her vineyard management towards sustainable viticulture, and the property is now in the process of certification in organic and biodynamic farming.
Technical Details
Blend: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot
Second Wine: La Chapelle de Haut-Bages Liberal, La Fleur de Haut-Bages Liberal
Aging Potential: 20 years
Vintage
Winter had a very significant rainfall deficit. The first part of the winter was cold, while the second part experienced rather mild temperatures. The budburst was relatively early. At the end of April, a substantial period of frost fell on the region, causing damage to the southern Medoc vineyards. In Pauillac, the river played its role as a climatic regulator, and the vines were spared in the appellation. The mild weather of May and June accentuated the precocity of vegetative growth. The early flowering was homogeneous and ensured an excellent fruit set. Our plots in biodynamic cultivation showed a particularly interesting health profile with sustainably healthy foliage, especially after the summer rains and in early September when the pressure was high. At the harvest, the skin of the grapes was thick, the seeds were ripe, the pulps were aromatic, and the tannins not so astringent. Ripe tannins characterize 2017; the wines are balanced, aromatic, and dense.
Vineyard Details
Vineyard Size: 30 hectares
Terroir: Gravel, clay, and limestone around the property, with deep gravel on the hamlet of Bages
Vine Composition: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Average Vine Age: 35 years
Yield: 800 gr/plant
Vine Growing: Following organic and biodynamic farming principles
Winemaking Details
Harvest: Hand-picked
Vinification: Traditional bordelaise style in conrete vats, plots selection
Aging: In French oak barrels for 16 months, 40% in new oak each year
Tasting Notes
Bright ruby red color with a fruity and fragrant nose with aromas of cherries and blackcurrant. The finish is supple and round, with a well-integrated freshness - a charming wine, harmonious and easy to drink.
[Information provided by Beyerman]
Unit Size | 750.00 ML |
Varietal | Red Blend
|
Vintage | 2017 |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot |
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux
|
Alcohol Percentage | 13.50% |
CHATEAU HAUT-BAGES-LIBERAL PAUILLAC 2017
Friday, January 10, 2020
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Vintage: 2017
Score: 94
This is very floral with blueberry, fresh-currant and currant-bush aromas. Crushed stones. Medium body and creamy, lightly chewy tannins with citrus and blueberries. Tangy and pretty. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
Chateau Haut Bages Liberal 2017 Pauillac
Rating: 92
Variety: Bordeaux-style Red Blend
Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Winery: Chateau Haut Bages Liberal
Alcohol: 13.50%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Importer: Millesima USA
Date Published: 3/1/2020
Reviewed By: Roger Voss
Fresh and juicy, this wine is quite a change in style for this estate. The wine's fine tannins are impressive, giving richness as well as succulence. Drink from 2023.
2017 Haut-Bages Liberal
Producer: Haut-Bages Liberal
Place of Origin: France, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Color: Red
Importer/Producer: hautbagesliberal.com
Rating: 92
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2040
From: 2017 Bordeaux - Mirror, Mirror on The Wall... (Mar 2020)
Reviewed By: Antonio Galloni on December 2019
The 2017 Haut-Bages Liberal is dense, powerful and quite rich. Red cherry, blood orange, pomegranate and spice all build in the glass. The 2017 boasts quite a bit of density and concentration but perhaps a bit less nuance. It remains to be seen whether the 2017 will accrue more finesse as the new oak [...] integrates over time.
Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, Pauillac, 5eme Cru Classe, 2017
Tasted by: Jane Anson (at Mouton, 20 Nov 2019)
Points: 92
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2038
Producer: Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal
Vintage: 2017
Wine Type: Still
Colour: Red
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Pauillac
Sweetness: Dry
Closure: Cork
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot
No frost affect at this estate in 2017, and the wine starts out well, majoring in bright dark fruits, but again this is extremely austere and needs time in the bottle to soften. Clear spice that once unfolded contributes to the excellent aromatics and the backbone suggests good ageing ahead. On the reductive side now, with notes of violet and rose.
Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal Pauillac 2017
Score Range: 90-93
Wine Type and Color: Red Still
Magazine Issue: Web Only - 2018
Primary Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Other Grapes: Merlot
Region: France / Bordeaux / Pauillac
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Solid, with dark plum and currant fruit forming the core, while tobacco and iron accents add bass and cut through the finish. Has the fresh cut of the vintage.
2017 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal (Pauillac)
Points: 89
Medium-bodied, forward, crisp, bright and fresh, with an herbal, peppery, cedary edge to its red fruits, give this some time in the cellar to develop.
Tasted: May 14, 2020
Ch Haut-Bages Liberal 2017 Pauillac
Producer: Ch Haut-Bages Liberal
Appellation: Pauillac
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Colour: Red
Score: 14.5/20
When to Drink: 2023 - 2032
Published On: 5 Oct 2021
Date Tasted: 16 Sep 2021
Reviewer: Tom Parker MW
Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Bright red fruit on the nose, a touch leafy. Very lively and acid-led - perhaps a touch lean but some will like this compact nature. The fruit just lacks a little definition. Medium-length finish. (TP)