THE HISTORY OF THE CHÂTEAU...
In the early 18th century, the Libéral family, owners of the Château, left an indelible mark on the estate's history by adding their family name to the historical name. As brokers from father to son, they sold most of their harvest to the Netherlands and Belgium at the time.
Over time, these fine connoisseurs gathered the best terroirs in the south of the Pauillac appellation. As a result, the vineyard of Château Haut-Bages Libéral extends over 30 hectares, divided into 3 plots. Each of them is adjacent to another Grand Cru Classé: Château Latour, Château Pichon Baron de Longueville, and Château Grand-Puy Lacoste.
The 1855 classification crowned this ascent with the title of 5th Grand Cru Classé. After changing hands at the end of the 19th century, the property faced significant turbulence: the spread of phylloxera, the devastation of fungal diseases, and the First World War... this succession of tragic events particularly affected the production of Château Haut-Bages Libéral. This was followed by the economic crisis of 1929 and then the onset of the Second World War. The property was decimated and everything had to be rebuilt.
It was not until the arrival of the Cruse family, then owners of Château Pontet Canet, that the vineyard of Château Haut-Bages Libéral regained its colors in the 1960s. They launched a vast program to replant the vines.
In 1982, the Merlaut family took over and fully exploited the potential of the Haut-Bages Libéral plots. Two decades later, major renovation work on the winery and historic buildings was undertaken under the supervision of Claire – the 3rd generation of Merlaut. The challenge was met! With its new look, the property can now stand proudly alongside its impressive Pauillac neighbors and focus on its primary essence, producing a great wine that exceeds the expectations of a 5th Grand Cru Classé of 1855.
THE TERROIR
The strength of Haut-Bages Libéral lies in the quality of its terroir:
- The typicity of its soil composed of deep gravel, clay-limestone, and chalky limestone gives the wine its power and mineral character.
- The topography of the plots, with their hollows and hills, forces the vine roots to dig deep for water. The vineyard does not fear drought.
- Ideally located between the Atlantic Ocean and the vast Gironde estuary, the vineyard of Haut-Bages Libéral benefits from a mild and humid temperate oceanic climate, regulated by these two large bodies of water.
- At Château Haut-Bages Libéral, the responsibility of the winegrower is to support the vine to make it stronger against attacks. A virtuous circle is thus established between man and his vineyard.
Giving a voice to this superb terroir is the goal! Claire, the third generation of the Merlaut family, and the second woman, will strive for it.
The Pauillac appellation brings together nearly 1/3 of the Grands Crus of the 1855 Classification. These Médoc stars are imposing due to their historic buildings, the size of their vineyards, and the robust and opulent style of their wines.
It is therefore difficult to exist in this universe of giants...
With only 30 hectares and its elegant style, Château Haut-Bages Libéral must stand out to avoid being overshadowed by its solid surroundings.
Claire will then position the terroir as her flagship, making Haut-Bages Libéral so unique that it will become essential. Biodynamics will become her ally, allowing her progressively to express the voice and true nature of the Château.
The 2019 vintage is the culmination of this quest. “Certainly the most accomplished and harmonious wine in at least half a century,” according to Michel Bettane.