Haut Bages Libéral 2021

Gonzague & Claire Lurton Estates, a family history

Claire Villars Lurton and Gonzague Lurton both come from great Bordeaux winegrowing families: the Merlaut family and the Lurton family. In the early 90's, at the age of 32 and 26, these two forces of nature proudly took over their family estates: Château Durfort Vivens, 2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855 in Margaux, Château Ferrière, 3rd Grand Cru Classé in 1855 in Margaux, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, 5th Grand Cru Classé in 1855 in Pauillac and Château La Gurgue in Margaux.

In the Bordeaux world of Grands Crus Classés, Claire and Gonzague are pioneers in organic farming, biodynamics and now in agroecology and agroforestry. Convinced that the vines can become resilient and autonomous through a meticulous respect for nature and driven by the desire to pass on a healthy vineyard to their children, their vineyards were among the first to be dualy certified in organic and biodynamic farming and represent today the largest biodynamically cultivated area in the region.
Claire and Gonzague are among those people who are driven by their passion, faithful to their deepest values, like true agricultural explorers always searching new practices adapted to their lands and allowing them to reveal their terroir and to produce living wines; in the end, to produce Great Wines that matter.

Le Château Haut-Bages Libéral, to give expression to this magnificent terroir

In 2000, Claire Villars Lurton took over the management of this estate which had often been relegated to the background by previous owner families. As the third generation of the Merlaut family and a hard worker, Claire's ambition is to fully exploit the exceptional potential of this Grand Cru Classé in 1855.  Indeed, half of its 30-hectare vineyard is located on a limestone rump, rare in the Médoc, on the edge of the river and next to Château Latour. The other half is located on deep gravels which are among the most qualitative of the Pauillac appellation. 

The presence of limestone in the heart of the vineyard, very rare in the appellation, brings freshness and elegance to the style of the wine. In order to reveal the full potential of this terroir, the vineyard has been cultivated for more than 15 years in agroecology and agroforestry and is also certified in Organic Farming since 2019 and Biodynamics since 2021 (Demeter). In order to preserve the brilliance of the fruit and of the terroir, the teams are constantly experimenting with new processes. Thus, Château Haut-Bages Libéral is the only Grand Cru Classé to be aged in Limoges porcelain jars. 


2021, the vintage of patience and perseverance. 

2021 is THE vintage of patience and perseverance in consideration of the climate hazards and sanitary pressure. However, the wine owns a beautiful balance, velvety tannins and and onctuous body.