Tennants Auctioneers will be offering two bottles two bottles of Liber Pater, one each from 2018 and 2019 in its sale of Fine Wine and Whisky on Friday 5th September 2025 at 10.30am.
In the elite world of fine wine, few names stir as much fascination and debate as Liber Pater. Produced in minuscule quantities in the Graves region of Bordeaux, this wine has become a symbol of both historical revival and modern-day exclusivity. With bottles commanding prices upwards of £30,000, Liber Pater is not just a wine - it’s a philosophical statement and a liquid time capsule.
The Vision Behind Liber Pater
Founded by the maverick winemaker Loïc Pasquet, Liber Pater is a radical departure from conventional Bordeaux. Pasquet’s mission is to recreate the taste of Bordeaux wines before the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. To achieve this, he uses ungrafted vines, ancient grape varieties (such as Castet, Tarnay, Saint-Macaire, and Petite Vidure), and pre-industrial winemaking techniques - including horse-drawn ploughs and amphora aging.
The vineyard is tiny, with ultra-low yields (as little as 15 hectoliters per hectare), and the wines are labeled Vin de France due to their use of non-AOC-approved grape varieties. This only enhances their rarity and mystique.
2018: A Vintage of Transition and Depth
The 2018 vintage marks a significant evolution in the Liber Pater story. By this point, Pasquet had refined his methods and deepened his commitment to historical authenticity.
- Profile: The 2018 vintage is a complex, elegant wine with a core of ungrafted Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec complemented by rare historical varieties. It offers floral aromatics, red and black fruit flavors with mineral-driven structure.
- Winemaking: Aged in amphorae rather than oak barrels to maintain pure expression without external influence.
- Significance: Reflects matured vision balancing rebellious philosophy with refined execution.
- Pairing: Ideal with mushrooms dishes like risotto or pasta; hearty fish such as tuna; aged cheeses like Gouda or Comté.
2019: A Masterpiece Of Purity And Power
The 2019 vintage is a culmination of Pasquet’s vision - a wine that fully embodies the pre-phylloxera Bordeaux experience.
- Profile: With pure fruit expression - cherries, plums, and floral notes - the 2019 vintage is concentrated yet elegant, with a modest 12.3% alcohol and a silky, nuanced finish.
- Grape Composition: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (Petite Vidure), Castet, Tarnay, Saint-Macaire, and Petit Verdot, it mirrors the blends of Bordeaux’s golden age.
- Critical Acclaim: Widely praised for its balance, finesse, and historical authenticity, it is considered one of the most philosophically pure wines ever made.
To find out more call Wine and Whisky Specialist William McNab on 01969 623780 or email william.mcnab@tennants-ltd.co.uk