2008 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 5. Cru

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / Haut-Medoc / Pauillac 5. Cru Rouge
 
2008 Château Haut‐Bages Libéral 5. Cru is characterized by its red and black berries aromas but also minerality and cedar.
The nose and the mouth show some freshness. A nive balance with fine tannins. Slightly peppery and hint of clove.
 
Blend:
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot.
 
Ratings vintage 2008:
Decanter: 4 stars.
 
The name of Château Haut‐Bages Libéral has two roots: The Libéral family ran the property in the early eighteenth century. Brokers from father to son, they sold the harvest in the Netherlands and Belgium. Their name adjoining to the topographical designation, earned them to be invited worldwide to the table of political parties of the same name.
 
Over time, these connoisseurs gathered the best soils of Pauillac. Thus, this 5th Classified Growth in 1855 now has half of its vineyards adjacent to Château Latour and the other half behind Château Pichon Baron, on the heights of the locality Bages, a large plateau in the south of Pauillac.

The property would regain his youth when, in 1960, the Cruse family, owner of Château Pontet Canet, another 5th Classified Growth in Pauillac, acquired the property.
The Cruse would launch an extensive program of replanting the vineyard. However, it was in 1983 at the arrival of the Villars family that Château Haut‐Bages Libéral really recovered its former glory.
 
Today, the property is run by Claire Villars Lurton. She undertook an overhaul of the tool of winemaking and she directs the vineyard management to a sustainable viticulture.