Authentic, thrilling, outrageous, timeless... These are just some of the words which define
the
revolutionary
wines
of
Bordeaux’s Liber Pater. Armit Wines is excited to be working exclusively with this iconic estate, bringing these extraordinary wines from the past, into the present. Liber Pater, which takes its inspiration from the Roman god of viticulture, fertility and freedom, invites you to step back in time and taste Bordeaux like it did in the 19th Century. “For the first time we can taste wine as Napoleon did”, declares the outspoken
owner,
pioneer, Loïc Pasquet.
winemaker
and
The wines are made with rare Bordeaux native varieties such as Marselan, Tarney Coulant, Castet as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, on un-grafted rootstock. They would have been produced in the same way in the mid-19th century before the scourge of phylloxera destroyed the vineyards of France and most of Europe. These unique vines, developed through massal selection, yield wines of remarkable complexity, finesse and balance. As Jane Anson explains, “this is a project that rewrites many of the rules of Bordeaux winemaking”. Whilst Pasquet’s activities has ruffled a few feathers, Anson sums it up best when she says: “I am still thrilled that he’s here, making people think, pushing at the boundaries, stirring things up.”
The vineyards are planted at an extremely high density of up to 20,000 vines per hectare, contrary to local winemaking customs of today, but instead following traditions of the early 19th century. Because of the density, a Spanish mule is used for tilling the soil, as a regular plough horse is too wide for the narrow rows. Even the plough used is 150 years old. Yields are kept extremely low and the annual production is limited to only 200 cases or less. If the harvest is not up to the mark no wine is made, as happened in the years 2008, 2012 and 2013, when the entire crop was declassified.
“Liber Pater is an extraordinary project in many ways. Pasquet’s mission is to take us back to pre-phylloxera Bordeaux in the tiny, stony corner of the Graves that he occupies.” ADAM LECHMERE, CLUB OENOLOGIQUE
2018 THE VANITY "What defines the 2018 Liber Pater is the versatility and the righteousness that reflects a specific place and terroir. The texture is velvet and the length is lingering through the palate with a complex and calibrated black fruit and liquorice expression, combined with an intriguing white pepper flavour, signing the identity of some of the most praised wines in the world. On the nose, there is a distinctive floral character before you move to the smoky, herbal and wet forest aromatics. The unique blend is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 11% Castet, 2% Tarnay Coulant and 2% Saint Macaire. The vision is for this blend to represent what you could have found in Bordeaux at the time of the 1855 Classification. Instead of the traditional French oak barrels, Liber Pater is stored in clay amphora, where the wine ages for 30 months before bottling. The purpose is to allow for a pure expression of the soil and avoid oak flavours on the palate. This constellation of carefully chosen methods makes this wine a truly unique tasting experience."
LOÏC PASQUET, OWNER & WINEMAKER
£30,000 per bottle in bond. Only 720 produced.
2019 DENARIUS “Liber Pater is extremely expensive and rare whilst Denarius comes into the scene to present the special opportunity to taste a pre-phylloxera style of wine. The 2019 vintage delivers energy and vitality. This is the first run of a young stallion, wild and unstoppable. Less dense than the Liber Pater, but it still has an unmistakable elegance and a delicate satin. A spectrum of aromas adds complexity to the wine, with floral notes of violet and subtle spice. The amphorae ageing has given a polished and harmonious tannic structure to the most achieved and defined Denarius ever produced.
LOÏC PASQUET, OWNER & WINEMAKER
£500 per bottle in bond. Only 2400 bottles produced.
PREVIOUS RELEASES
2015 LE SAUVETAGE "The 2015 Liber Pater is one of the most intriguing wines I tasted this year. Inspired by research that showed phylloxera had never reared its ugly head here, proprietor Loïc Pasquet decided to plant these parcels with ungrafted vines. Those plants are only five years old, and yet the wine shows considerable pedigree. A host of dark red stone fruits meld together, but it is the wine’s textural depth and unctuousness that truly stand out. Liber Pater is clearly a work in progress, and yet the wines are already compelling.”
ANTONIO GALLONI
Price on application
2011 THE DREAM OF LIBER PATER Everyone else in the region had finished harvest by September 24th due to difficult weather conditions, with a severe lack of sun and an abundance of rain. The harvest at Liber Pater started only on October 4th and stretched over 15 days in optimal weather conditions. This not only saved the vintage but also made it outstanding in quality, hence “the dream”.
“A dense, powerful red with spice, dried fruit and sweet tobacco. Full body, round tannins and long finish. Wonderful depth to this tiny-production red.”
JAMES SUCKLING
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2010 THE BANQUET The inspiration for the label was drawn from “the last supper” by Da Vinci.
“Intense aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and Moroccan spices like cardamom. Full body, with super integrated tannins and a long, long finish. A beautiful and balanced wine with super fine tannins. A tine production red where everything is handmade in the most Burgundian way. Such harmony and balance” JAMES SUCKLING
Price on application
2007 THE LEAF 2007 was the first vintage that the vineyard was farmed fully organic and in perfect harmony with nature; therefore the leaf symbol on the label. The heart shape was chosen as Loïc met his wife-to-be this year. “These are the kind of projects that make my heart beat quicker”
JANE ANSON, INSIDE BORDEAUX
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2015 DENARIUS "Soft and fruity with very pretty ripe fruit and lots of raspberry, blackberry and dark chocolate character. Full and velvety textured. Juicy style."
JAMES SUCKLING
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