GC LURTON

THE STORY BEGINS IN THE 18TH CENTURY.

The name Haut-Bages refers to the topographical designation of the highest point of the locality of "Bages", historic parcels of land that are among the highest quality in the Pauillac appellation. It was the Libéral family who, at the beginning of the 18th century, added their name to that of the estate. Over time, these fine connoisseurs brought together the best terroirs in the south of the Pauillac appellation and were rewarded in 1855 with the title of Grand Cru Classé. The château then passed from hand to hand until the arrival of Jacques Merlaut in 1982.

CLAIRE, the 3rd GENERATION OF THE FAMILY OWNER OF CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL

Jacques Merlaut placed his daughter Bernadette in charge of the technical and commercial management of all his properties with absolute confidence. After her tragic death, Jacques turned to Claire, Bernadette’s eldest daughter. Under her grandfather’s wing, Claire was introduced to the intricacies of Bordeaux wine properties by the best of teachers.

In 2000, Claire devoted herself, with passion and conviction, to give a voice to the great terroir of the Estate.

From 2007, she was aided by a biodynamic approach and agroforestry techniques, which gradually enabled her to express the true nature of the Château.

In 2017, Claire undertook major renovation work on the winery and historic buildings. The property no longer had to blush alongside its impressive Pauillac neighbours and can now devote itself to its raison d’être : the expression of its terroir, for the production of a great wine.

AN EXCEPTIONAL TERROIR
ON THE BANKS OF THE GIRONDE

One half of the vineyard of Château Haut-Bages Libéral is located on the historic plateau of Bages (gravelly soil), while the other half directly overlooks the Gironde (limestone hillock). The estuary is a vector of energy, microclimate and biodiversity, and contributes greatly to the exceptional quality of the terroir, as the Médoc saying goes:

"GREAT TERROIRS LOOK TO THE RIVER"

The proximity of water also gives the vineyard a clay-limestone soil typicity that makes it unique. The wines of Château Haut-Bages Libéral thus develop a mineral character that sets them apart.

AGROECOLOGY AND AGROFORESTRY:
SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE, A CRADLE OF BIODIVERSITY

Since the 2000s, biodiversity has been at the heart of all the viticultural practices at Château Haut-Bages Libéral. The plots are surrounded by hedges and trees of various species (peach trees, apple trees, maples, poplars, dogwoods, elms, etc.) are gradually planted in the heart of the vines. The soils are covered by permanent grassing or by seedlings (rye, mustard, clover, broad beans, lupines, etc.).

These natural elements keep the soil alive, aerated and fertile and promote biodiversity by attracting a multitude of birds, animals, insects and micro-organisms.

La Cuvée Cérès, without added sulfites and from a parcel entirely managed with agroecology and agroforestry, perfectly illustrates Haut-Bages Libéral's long-term commitment to a viticulture that is both audacious and virtuous.

READ MORE ABOUT CERES

TO COMPLETE THESE VIRTUOUS PRACTICES, CHATEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL IS ALSO CERTIFIED ORGANIC SINCE 2019 AND BIODYNAMIC SINCE 2021.

Some notions of agroecology...

Agroecology and agroforestry bring together all the agricultural practices for environmentally friendly cultivation, promoting the sustainability and biodiversity of the ecosystem. Natural elements (hedges, trees in the heart of the vineyard, cover crops, etc.) encourage biodiversity in the open air (birds, animals, insects) and biodiversity in the soil (earthworms, fungi, bacteria, etc.). Together they ensure a living soil. Associated with natural elements, this biodiversity is for the vineyard: a protection against drought (evapotranspiration of the trees), and a natural fight against diseases and pests by birds, bats, fungi, insects, etc. Trees and cover crops capture carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This carbon is returned to the soil, in the form of organic matter, when the plants and their roots are broken down by micro-organisms.

Nutrient distribution: The underground microbial life feeds on organic matter and returns minerals and amino acids (phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, magnesium, calcium) to the soil, making them available to plants.

This assimilation process is facilitated by mychorizal fungi: associated with plants (in symbiosis), they absorb water, nutrients and minerals and then redistribute them to the plants. In exchange they provide the plants with sugars and carbohydrates. The mycelia of mycorrhizae form very extensive interconnected underground networks, allowing plants to explore up to ten times the volume of soil! Hence the importance of not tilling the soil, which would, amoungst others, destroy the networks.

At Haut-Bages Liberal, viticulture relies on a natural and cultivated biodiversity, which guarantees the resilience, sustainability and productivity of the vineyard.

CHATEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL,
A GREAT WINE, LIVELY AND COMMITTED

In perfect symbiosis with its entire ecosystem, this vineyard is the source of brilliant, powerful, lively, saline and mineral wines. Biodynamic and agro-ecological methods allow Château Haut-Bages Libéral to express once again the true nature of its terroir.

THE WINES OF CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL

CHATEAU HAUTS-BAGES LIBÉRAL

Château Haut-Bages Libéral, the iconic Classified Growth, Pauillac appellation, comes from a plot selection and benefits from a long ageing, in new barrels, amphorae and concrete vats. Experienced wine tasters will appreciate its mix of energy and refinement, its aromatic complexity and tannic finesse.

chateau-haut-bages-liberal

LA CHAPELLE DE HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL

La Chapelle de Haut-Bages Liberal is a seductive, greedy wine accessible to connoisseurs and amateurs alike. Resulting from a second plot selection in the Pauillac appellation, la Chapelle profits from ageing in concrete vats and barrels.

chapelle-haut-bages-liberal.

CERES DE HAUT-BAGES LIBÉRAL

CERES de Haut-Bages Libéral is a modern, airy wine with shiny, crunchy fruit. This Haut-Médoc is vinified and aged without added sulfites and results from a plot of Merlot managed according to agroforestry practices,

ceres-haut-bages-liberal.