Château Haut-Bages Libéral
About Château Haut-Bages Libéral
Drawing its name from the Liberal family, well-known negociants in Bordeaux and owners of other properties on the Left Bank who purchased the estate in the 18th century, Château Haut-Bages-Libéral is located on the hills of Bages, a tiny area between Pauillac and Saint Julien which makes up the second part of its name. From the 1960s onwards, it was managed by the Cruse family who also owned Château Pontet-Canet, and for a few years, wines of Château Haut-Bages-Libéral were actually made at Château Pontet-Canet. Château Haut-Bages-Libéral was then sold to the Taillan group in 1983, which owned several properties including Château Ferrière and Château de Camensac and has remained under the same ownership till today.
The vines of Château Haut-Bages-Libéral span over 30 hectares, half of which is located in Bages with other parcels located near highly regarded estates like Château Latour and Château Pichon Baron. Certified organic since the 2019 vintage, the wines of Château Haut-Bages-Libéral continue to improve, delivering excellent value.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 5 | - |
Inc. VAT
£143.09 |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | - |
Inc. VAT
£137.09 |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£590.47 |
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Wine Spectator (93)Very aromatic, showing blackberry and currant aromas, with some licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a rich, decadent, fruity finish. Caresses the palate. Stylish and opulent. Best after 2011. 10,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£262.84 |
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Wine Advocate (89)The 2006 Haut Bages Liberal has a gentle, but respectable bouquet with better fruit intensity than the 2006 Grand Puy Ducasse. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, pleasing weight in the mouth, a keen line of acidity with an attractive, saline finish that begs another sip. Probably not the most glamorous wine of the vintage, but this is a very good effort. Tasted April 2016. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 94 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£590.47 |
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James Suckling (94)Pretty nose of blueberries, currants and blackberries, follows through to a full body, with ultra-refined tannins and polished, caressing texture. Very refined and long. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try after 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£87.20 |
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Wine Enthusiast (93)92-94 Concentrated tannins, very rich, very firm, very dry at this stage. There is a more juicy character underneath, offering the potential of rich berry fruits. There's a new wood, smoky aftertaste. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£526.87 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2015 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best releases in recent years. It has an elegant bouquet of refined black cherry and crushed strawberry aromas; the oak here is very well knitted. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannin, layers of black fruit laced with tar and tobacco, and firm but not overbearing grip on the finish. Good aging potential here. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£518.98 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2015 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best releases in recent years. It has an elegant bouquet of refined black cherry and crushed strawberry aromas; the oak here is very well knitted. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannin, layers of black fruit laced with tar and tobacco, and firm but not overbearing grip on the finish. Good aging potential here. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£146.81 |
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James Suckling (94-95)Tannic and linear with blackberry and currant character. Full body, tight and chewy with a polished texture and excellent length. Shows toned muscles for the vintage. Demeter certified biodynamic. |
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|
Bordeaux | 17 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£284.44 |
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James Suckling (96-97)A fantastic wine with lovely depth of ripe fruit and transparency and beauty. Full bodied. Succulent and rich tannins to the gorgeous fruit. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£266.44 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
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|
Bordeaux | 8 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£457.27 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£230.44 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£365.98 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£166.43 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£311.26 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 20 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£453.67 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£271.49 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral is huge and explosive right out of the gate. A rush of dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, blood orange, incense, licorice and mocha saturates the palate. Saline notes extend the mid-palate and finish effortlessly. This is one of the most exuberant, ample wines I have tasted from Claire Villars-Lurton. I would give the 2022 a number of years in bottle to shed some baby fat. Today, it tastes almost like a barrel sample! The purity and primary intensity of the fruit is remarkable. The Haut-Bages Libéral was raised in a combination of 40% new oak, 40% once-used barrels and 20% a mix of concrete and amphora. This is one of the under-the-radar gems of 2022. |
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|
Bordeaux | 18 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£206.69 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)A very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the center-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchy minerality from part of the vineyard in limestone. 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. |
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|
Bordeaux | 26 | - |
Inc. VAT
£300.58 |
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|
Bordeaux | 18 | - |
Inc. VAT
£269.38 |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | - |
Inc. VAT
£164.69 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 65 | - |
Inc. VAT
£164.69 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£204.00 |
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Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 5 | - |
In Bond
£100.00 |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | - |
In Bond
£95.00 |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (WS) |
In Bond
£460.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (93)Very aromatic, showing blackberry and currant aromas, with some licorice. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a rich, decadent, fruity finish. Caresses the palate. Stylish and opulent. Best after 2011. 10,000 cases made. -JS |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (WA) |
In Bond
£203.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (89)The 2006 Haut Bages Liberal has a gentle, but respectable bouquet with better fruit intensity than the 2006 Grand Puy Ducasse. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, pleasing weight in the mouth, a keen line of acidity with an attractive, saline finish that begs another sip. Probably not the most glamorous wine of the vintage, but this is a very good effort. Tasted April 2016. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 94 (JS) |
In Bond
£460.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (94)Pretty nose of blueberries, currants and blackberries, follows through to a full body, with ultra-refined tannins and polished, caressing texture. Very refined and long. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try after 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WE) |
In Bond
£70.00 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (93)92-94 Concentrated tannins, very rich, very firm, very dry at this stage. There is a more juicy character underneath, offering the potential of rich berry fruits. There's a new wood, smoky aftertaste. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£407.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2015 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best releases in recent years. It has an elegant bouquet of refined black cherry and crushed strawberry aromas; the oak here is very well knitted. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannin, layers of black fruit laced with tar and tobacco, and firm but not overbearing grip on the finish. Good aging potential here. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | 93 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£394.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)The 2015 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best releases in recent years. It has an elegant bouquet of refined black cherry and crushed strawberry aromas; the oak here is very well knitted. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grainy tannin, layers of black fruit laced with tar and tobacco, and firm but not overbearing grip on the finish. Good aging potential here. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£117.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (94-95)Tannic and linear with blackberry and currant character. Full body, tight and chewy with a polished texture and excellent length. Shows toned muscles for the vintage. Demeter certified biodynamic. |
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|
Bordeaux | 17 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£221.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96-97)A fantastic wine with lovely depth of ripe fruit and transparency and beauty. Full bodied. Succulent and rich tannins to the gorgeous fruit. From biodynamically grown grapes. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
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|
Bordeaux | 8 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£349.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£176.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)The 2020 Haut-Bages Libéral is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Hard candy, kirsch, rose petal, cinnamon and blood orange are some of the many notes that race across the palate. A wine of magnificent purity and silkiness, the Haut-Bages Libéral is simply captivating in its intensity. Bright acids punctuate the articulate, persistent finish. Magnificent. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£266.50 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£128.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£238.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
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|
Bordeaux | 20 | 94-96 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£346.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-96)The 2021 Haut-Bages Libéral is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Claire Lurton. Dense, powerful and explosive, with dazzling intensity Haut-Bages Libéral races across the palate, offering up an enticing mélange of ripe red-fleshed fruit, blood orange, cedar and spice. Bright acids lend vibrancy throughout a Pauillac I won't soon forget tasting. Haut-Bages Libéral is one of my early favorites on the Left Bank in 2021. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare versus the more typical 40 or so, not a bad result at all for the year given the biodynamic farming practices in place. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£207.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)The 2022 Haut-Bages Libéral is huge and explosive right out of the gate. A rush of dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, blood orange, incense, licorice and mocha saturates the palate. Saline notes extend the mid-palate and finish effortlessly. This is one of the most exuberant, ample wines I have tasted from Claire Villars-Lurton. I would give the 2022 a number of years in bottle to shed some baby fat. Today, it tastes almost like a barrel sample! The purity and primary intensity of the fruit is remarkable. The Haut-Bages Libéral was raised in a combination of 40% new oak, 40% once-used barrels and 20% a mix of concrete and amphora. This is one of the under-the-radar gems of 2022. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 18 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£153.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)A very pure and beautiful HBL with blackcurrant and mineral notes, like crushed stones, as well as a vivid freshness. Purity and brightness in the center-palate, with essence of cassis and a crunchy minerality from part of the vineyard in limestone. 86% cabernet sauvignon and 14% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. |
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|
Bordeaux | 26 | - |
In Bond
£212.00 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 18 | - |
In Bond
£186.00 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 6 | - |
In Bond
£118.00 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 65 | - |
In Bond
£118.00 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£204.00 |
|||||