Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
The 2000 La Mission Haut-Brion is a vintage that I have not tasted for several years. At age 21, it has retained its youthful nose of vivid black cherries, wild strawberry and iodine, and shows less of the black olive tapenade element that I noticed in its youth. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins that belie that backbone of this La Mission. Beautifully balanced and quite peppery, with fine salinity, it is less sauvage than many other millennial Bordeaux, leading to a succulent, sensual finish. This is only just beginning to show what it is capable of. 13.4% alcohol. Tasted at the château with Jean-Philippe Delmas. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2021)
The 2000 La Mission Haut-Brion is a vintage that I have not tasted for several years. At age 21, it has retained its youthful nose of vivid black cherries, wild strawberry and iodine, and shows less of the black olive tapenade element that I noticed in its youth. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins that belie that backbone of this La Mission. Beautifully balanced and quite peppery, with fine salinity, it is less sauvage than many other millennial Bordeaux, leading to a succulent, sensual finish. This is only just beginning to show what it is capable of. 13.4% alcohol. Tasted at the château with Jean-Philippe Delmas. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2021)
A lot of power and depth here. Still has some time to reach its pinnacle.
A lot of power and depth here. Still has some time to reach its pinnacle.
Jan 23rd, 2019
De-F’n-licious. From mag at dinner post Potel tasting. Just an epic, gorgeous, substantive wine. Run don’t walk.
De-F’n-licious. From mag at dinner post Potel tasting. Just an epic, gorgeous, substantive wine. Run don’t walk.
Apr 10th, 2018
The sister property of Haut-Brion and a wine many consider an unofficial 1st Growth, La Mission was firing on all cylinders this night. The 2000 nose was classic, showing the signature Graves scorched Earth, ripe currants, creme de cassis, and roasted coffee beans. The palate built around a core of earth and rock, with a structured and textural powerhouse that relents in the glass as you taste it further, unwrapping the aroma and flavor kaleidoscope slowly and keeping you coming back for more.
The 2005 was more of the same but on another level of density and strength being a younger wine and also from an excellent vintage worthy of at least 5 -7 more years before I would go at it again. The nose hinted to a deep future, with the palate clamping down and not showing any signs of relenting that night.
#lamission #hautbrion #graves #bordeaux #wine
The sister property of Haut-Brion and a wine many consider an unofficial 1st Growth, La Mission was firing on all cylinders this night. The 2000 nose was classic, showing the signature Graves scorched Earth, ripe currants, creme de cassis, and roasted coffee beans. The palate built around a core of earth and rock, with a structured and textural powerhouse that relents in the glass as you taste it further, unwrapping the aroma and flavor kaleidoscope slowly and keeping you coming back for more.
The 2005 was more of the same but on another level of density and strength being a younger wine and also from an excellent vintage worthy of at least 5 -7 more years before I would go at it again. The nose hinted to a deep future, with the palate clamping down and not showing any signs of relenting that night.
#lamission #hautbrion #graves #bordeaux #wine
A very seductive example of la mission. Texturally alluring and velvety. Hopefully more aromatics to come in the future.
A very seductive example of la mission. Texturally alluring and velvety. Hopefully more aromatics to come in the future.
Dec 24th, 2015
Showed great potential but still need some years.
Showed great potential but still need some years.
Mar 15th, 2015
Rich and ripe, but delicious anyways. Plummy dark fruit, enough acid to balance.
Rich and ripe, but delicious anyways. Plummy dark fruit, enough acid to balance.
Jun 8th, 2013
Very nice wine from La Mission. Decanted 3 hours which I’d suggest - at cork pop it was a bit woody. Bit less acid than I was hoping, and actually ever so slightly disjointed. But still delicious and just a beautiful pairing with some nice ribeye. Aromatically very nice but the palate could be more together and present.
Very nice wine from La Mission. Decanted 3 hours which I’d suggest - at cork pop it was a bit woody. Bit less acid than I was hoping, and actually ever so slightly disjointed. But still delicious and just a beautiful pairing with some nice ribeye. Aromatically very nice but the palate could be more together and present.
Sep 10th, 2023