Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2022 Magnum

The estate:
The Libéral family has governed Chateau Haut Bages Liberal since the early 18th century. Over time, these connoisseurs brought together the best terroirs in Pauillac. Since 1983 this Pauillac Grand Cru has been owned by the Villars family, who have restored Château Haut-Bages Libéral to its former glory by undertaking a complete overhaul of the winemaking facilities and orienting their vineyard management towards sustainable viticulture.

The vineyard:
Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2022 is a Pauillac from a 30-hectare vineyard. The vines are planted on Günzian Garonne gravel on a clay-limestone substratum. Certified organic since 2019, Château Haut-Bages Libéral is in the process of converting to biodynamic viticulture.

Winemaking and ageing:
Vinification is carried out on a plot-by-plot basis. Maceration for 24 days at a maintained temperature of 20°C. A neutral gas is used during maceration to encourage gentle extraction, and the grapes are pressed vertically. The wine is aged for 16 months, 40% in new barrels, 40% in one-wine barrels and 20% in amphorae and ovoid concrete vats.

97/100 Points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"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. This is one of the under-the-radar gems of 2022."