Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2010
- Producer Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal
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Blend
25% Merlot
75% Cabernet Sauvignon - Country France
- Region Bordeaux
- Appellation Pauillac
- UPC 0 15643 47320 3
Tasting notes
2010 is a great vintage that is distinguished by its very straight and structured style . It is a harmony between power and finesse, with a tone of classicism and silky tannins
Vintage
Overall, the winter of 2010 was cold and dry, thus causing a late start to the vegetation. A warm spring then led to a fast and uniform bud bursting. The flowering of cabernet sauvignon was also rapid thanks to a perfect weather (hot and dry). However, some rains would cause the sag of the merlot. The
berries changed color rapidly but the maturation was slow and steady through the warm days and cool nights. Finally, the grapes were harvested in ideal weather conditions at their optimal maturity. At the approach of the harvest, the level of maturity of the compounds reflected the exceptional weather conditions of 2010. This vintage rises to the level of the great vintages of reference {2000, 2005 and 2009). The wines are very colorful, powerful, with an excellent balance of acid I alcohol I tannin. The maturity is exceptional, especially as regards the accumulation of tannins, sugars and aromatic freshness. It is a great year with an excellent aging potential.
Vinification
Traditional in stainless and concrete vats, whose volumes are proportional to the plots
Estate
The name of Chateau Haut-Sages Liberal has two roots. The LIBERAL 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 Chateau Latour and the other half behind Chateau Pichon Baron, on the heights of the locality "Sages", a large pl ateau in the south of Pau illac. The property would regain his youth when, in 1960, the Cruse fa mily, owner of Chateau Pontet Ca net, 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 arriva l of the Villars family that Chateau Haut-Sages Li bera l really recovered its former glory. Today, t he property is run by Claire VILLARS LURTON . She undertook an overhaul of the tool of wine making and she directs the vineyard management to a susta inab le viticulture.