La Mission

Search other Growers




It is assumed that La Mission formed part of Chateau Haut Brion, though this is hard to establish.  What they do share is the ability to produce great wine.  Just over 18ha produces 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from a mound of gravel lying 25 metres above sea level.  La Mission Haut Brion is a distinctive wine and is the fullest and sturdiest of the Grave cru classes.

Vint Description Cl ? Cs Bt Cs Bt +
2005

La Mission Haut Brion

75 IB 1   4800 -
Tasting Notes:
The 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion is even more impressive this year than it was in 2006. There are approximately 5,500 cases of this blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Jean-Philippe Delmas told me that for the first time in this vineyardÕs history, the entire vineyard was seriously crop-thinned. The result is a wine that is reminiscent of the 1989, but with more structure, muscle, and tannin. However, the tannin is sweet Ñ a good sign in a wine with such extraordinary power and richness. Scorched earth, blueberries, blackberries, and a hint of truffles appear in the staggering aromatics. The wine is massive in the mouth, with incredible fat and richness as well as mouth-searing levels of velvety tannin in the finish. Even though the fruit is wonderfully ripe and the texture is unctuous, this stunning offering will not be drinkable for 6-7 years, and should keep for 25 years thereafter. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 97
Drinking Period: 2013-2038
2005

La Mission Haut Brion

75 IB   1 - 400
Tasting Notes:
The 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion is even more impressive this year than it was in 2006. There are approximately 5,500 cases of this blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Jean-Philippe Delmas told me that for the first time in this vineyardÕs history, the entire vineyard was seriously crop-thinned. The result is a wine that is reminiscent of the 1989, but with more structure, muscle, and tannin. However, the tannin is sweet Ñ a good sign in a wine with such extraordinary power and richness. Scorched earth, blueberries, blackberries, and a hint of truffles appear in the staggering aromatics. The wine is massive in the mouth, with incredible fat and richness as well as mouth-searing levels of velvety tannin in the finish. Even though the fruit is wonderfully ripe and the texture is unctuous, this stunning offering will not be drinkable for 6-7 years, and should keep for 25 years thereafter. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 97
Drinking Period: 2013-2038
2001

La Mission Haut Brion

75 IB 2   990 -
Tasting Notes:
Like its more famous neighbor, Haut-Brion, the 2001 La Mission Haut-Brion has closed down considerably since bottling. A blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it possesses an inky/purple color (deeper than Haut-BrionÕs) in addition to a tight but promising bouquet of scorched earth, wood, tar, black currants, and a hint of hickory wood. Medium-bodied, firm, muscular, and virile, it is a candidate for long term cellaring. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2010-2020
2001

La Mission Haut Brion

75 IB 1   990 -
Tasting Notes:
Like its more famous neighbor, Haut-Brion, the 2001 La Mission Haut-Brion has closed down considerably since bottling. A blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it possesses an inky/purple color (deeper than Haut-BrionÕs) in addition to a tight but promising bouquet of scorched earth, wood, tar, black currants, and a hint of hickory wood. Medium-bodied, firm, muscular, and virile, it is a candidate for long term cellaring. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2010-2020
1998

La Mission Haut Brion

75 IB 2   1450 -
Tasting Notes:
Complex aromas of scorched earth, minerals, black fruits, lead pencil, and subtle wood accompany this classic, full-bodied, La Mission. It boasts superb purity, an expansive, concentrated mid-palate, and sweet tannin in the long, muscular yet refined finish. This superb La Mission-Haut-Brion, which requires 6-7 years of cellaring, gets my nod as one of the finest La Mission's produced. Robert Parker April 2001
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2007-2030