Located in the southern part of Pauillac, Château Haut-Bages Libéral takes its name from a previous owner, Monsieur Libéral, who also owned Château du Tertre in the Margaux appellation in the 18th century.

Entirely replanted in the 1970s, the estate's average-sized vineyard is divided into three distinct plots: two on the Bages plateau, and the main one on a rise adjoining Château Latour overlooking the Gironde estuary. Despite their proximity, this third plot is different from Latour, with finer gravel on sand and clay-limestone soil at Haut-Bages Libéral.

The Villars, who also own Château Chasse-Spleen in Moulis, bought the estate in 1982 and modernized the winemaking facilities.

More than half of production is exportated, and Château Haut-Bages Libéral is extremely successful on foreign markets. Paradoxically, this wine is, however, quite rare in France. Haut-Bages Libéral makes well-structured, concentrated wines with fine tannin.

In the Bottle

One of Château Haut-Bages Libéral's major qualities is its dependable quality in all vintages. This classic Pauillac rarely dissapoints.

Château Haut-Bages Libéral produced interesting wines in 2006, 2005 and 2003. The 2004 and 2002 vintages are different in style, and very good value for money. 1996 and 1990 are also successful.

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Haut-Bages Libéral, Chapelle de Bages (second wine)