La Mission Haut Brion 2019 (6.0L)

99-100 JS / 98-100 WA / 98-100 VM / 98-100 JD / 96-98 WE / 96 DE

A tight and structured La Mission that takes you deep into the glass with super intensity and power. The tannins are omnipresent and envelop the palate. It’s full-bodied yet agile and complete. Iodine, sweet-tobacco and blackberry character. It seems never to finish. Another WOW wine that reminds me of some of the great classics of this estate, such as the 1955. - James Suckling

The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 53% Merlot, 39.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.5% Cabernet Franc, harvested from the 11th of September to the 2nd of October. The estimated label alcohol degree is 14.5%. Very deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal a beguiling perfume of violets, Black Forest cake, wild blueberries and kirsch with nuances of star anise, cast-iron pan, pencil lead and crushed rocks plus a waft of wild sage. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with layers of black fruit, earth and floral-laced flavors, framed by exquisitely ripe, finely grained tannins and compelling freshness, finishing with great length and loads of mineral sparks. A wine of impeccable breeding, both decadently flamboyant and provocatively graceful, this is already a prodigious wine of indisputable beauty. - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

The 2019 La Mission Haut-Brion was picked from 11 September until 2 October at 52hl/ha. It is deep purple in colour. It has a very intense, what you might call quite "serious" bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, crushed iris petals and a light estuarine influence. It shows exquisite delineation and focus. The palate is stunning with intense black fruit laced with crushed stone, sea salt, black pepper and cedar, almost Pauillac in style. This La Mission is so pixelated with stupendous intensity. After four hours it closes up and appears cowed by the presence of the expressive Haut-Brion. Yet after 8 hours it is unquestionably showing greater structure and depth than the First Growth and, as such, despite its mercurial nature, I wager that ultimately this will become one of the wines of the vintage. Breathtaking. - Neal Martin,  Vinous Media

The flagship 2019 Château La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's a bigger, more powerful, structured wine compared to the La Chapelle, revealing a stunning array of black cherries, redcurrants, candied violets, iron, graphite, and crushed rocks. It's still tight and reserved aromatically, yet also incredibly complex. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced, has the hallmark purity and elegance of the vintage, building tannins and structure, and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck

Showing a stylish face to the world, this wine has a wonderful combination of dark fruits and rich tannins. It is full, with ripe Merlot revealing a dense structure and opulent potential. The wine is set for a long, slow aging. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast 

Wonderful depth of flavour, a signature of this château that is just so elegant but is always happy to oblige in delivering delightfully sappy, seductive, gently spiced fruit. Cigar box and tobacco notes, floral peony and iris aromatics. Great second wave of aromatics that is striking and increases the density and width of the palate. Oak already feels integrated even at this early stage. 50% 1st wine. Drinking Window 2028 - 2044.  - Jane Anson, Decanter