Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal
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Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal is a winery in the Pauillac appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The château was classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus Classés (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The name Haut-Bages-Liberal is derived from the estate's location and historical owner, with Haut-Bages referring to its position at the top of the Bages plateau between Pauillac and St Julien and Liberal referring to the family that owned the estate during the 18th century. The estate is currently owned by the Taillan Group, a large corporation that owns other wine properties in the region including Château Citran, Château Chasse-Spleen and Château Ferriere.
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[edit] Vineyard
Its 28 hectares of vineyards are bordered by those of Château Lynch-Bages and Château Latour. The soil consists mainly of a deep bed of gravel over limestone affording drainage. The vineyard's varietal plantings consist of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (17%), and Petit Verdot (3%) with an average vine age of 30 years.
[edit] The Wine
Haut-Bages-Liberal's wine has a style that is typical for Pauillac, showing notes of cedar and minerals. Notable vintages include the 1982 (good), 1987 (appalling), 2000 (good) and 2002 (poor)
The 1995 vintage was entered in the St. Catharines Wine Tasting of 2005 and was ranked 12th in the field of 16 wines.
