The 1955 La Mission Haut-Brion is not only one of the best vintages ever made at the estate, but also represents one of the top five Bordeaux wines of the 20th century. This was my fourth bottle and to give it a perfect score was easy. Clear in color, it sports a bouquet that is unbelievably intense and yet refined, delivering a kaleidoscope of aromas: black fruit, crushed rock, freshly rolled tobacco and shaved black truffles (but not the aniseed note I noticed in previous examples). The palate is exquisitely poised, brimming over with tension and energy undimmed by the passing years, and symmetrical on the finish. Hints of blood orange linger tantalizingly on the aftertaste. You almost laugh at the unequivocal perfection. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2021)
The 1955 La Mission Haut-Brion is not only one of the best vintages ever made at the estate, but also represents one of the top five Bordeaux wines of the 20th century. This was my fourth bottle and to give it a perfect score was easy. Clear in color, it sports a bouquet that is unbelievably intense and yet refined, delivering a kaleidoscope of aromas: black fruit, crushed rock, freshly rolled tobacco and shaved black truffles (but not the aniseed note I noticed in previous examples). The palate is exquisitely poised, brimming over with tension and energy undimmed by the passing years, and symmetrical on the finish. Hints of blood orange linger tantalizingly on the aftertaste. You almost laugh at the unequivocal perfection. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2021)
Sep 17th, 2021
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
