2005 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

Tasted two times.

The 2005 La Mission Haut-Brion is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. Effusive aromatics and bright, red-toned fruit make a strong first impression. A wine of vertical intensity and explosive energy, the 2005 is a towering masterpiece. Today it is just at the beginning of a long drinking window that will last another few decades. Red cherry, plum, leather, spice, gravel, smoke, blood orange and pomegranate infuse the palate-staining finish. In 2005, La Mission is a wine that satisfies all the senses, from the intellectual to the hedonistic. Magnificent. 

Drink 2021 - 2055

Only 5,500 cases were produced of this blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.

The 2005 La Mission Haut-Brion is pure perfection. It has an absolutely extraordinary nose of sweet blackberries, cassis and spring flowers with some underlying minerality, a full-bodied mouthfeel, gorgeously velvety tannins which is unusual in this vintage) and a long, textured, multi-layered finish that must last 50+ seconds. This is a fabulous wine and a great effort from this hallowed terroir. Drink this modern-day legend over the next 30+ years.

Drink 2015 - 2045

Deep classic shaded crimson. A high-toned mineral nose that should really satisfy traditionalists. A savoury yeast extract/Marmite edge. Very directed and focused and Cabernet on the palate – almost the essence of Cabernet. Marked acidity and tannin. Utterly classic – not an ounce of spare flesh. Everything is there for a fine, long future.

Drink 2020 - 2045

The 2005 La Mission Haut-Brion is a wine that I have had the pleasure of tasting on several occasions. The most recent bottle, included in a 2005 horizontal, puts it in a very favourable light even against strong competition. The bouquet bursts from the glass with intense blackberry, cedar and tobacco scents, plus background aromas of fig and damson, as you would expect from a warm summer. 

The palate is structured, yet the Merlot content at 69%, the highest in many years) renders this Pessac-Léognan much more pliant than others from this vintage. A mélange of red and black fruits vie for attention, followed by warm gravel and black olives. Quite rich and yet not grippy; with decanting, you could broach this now, though personally, I would prefer to leave it for several more years. Outstanding.

Drink 2025 - 2060

100% new oak. Hold +2 years or carafe for 4 hours.

A little more approachable than the Haut-Brion at this moment in time, but still at the very beginning of its drinking life, with decades ahead of it. Expect your senses to be drenched in pulses of electricity running through the palate, studding the waves of loganberry, blackberry and red cherry fruits. Feels carefully delineated and in balance, luscious and sculpted, with peony floral notes as it opens up. A classic Mission Haut-Brion, exceptionally impressive.

Drink 2022 - 2055

Still inky-hued, the blockbuster-styled 2005 Château La Mission Haut Brion is based on a blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. A huge monster of a wine that's still 4-5 years out from its drink window, it gives up massive amounts of ripe, smoky black fruits, truffles, chocolate, graphite, and roasted meats. This carries to a full-bodied Pessac-Léognan offering a dense, concentrated mid-palate, lots of tannins, wonderful purity, and one heck of a magical finish.

This is very rich and layered for La Mission with ultra-polished tannins yet velvety and beautiful in texture. It's full-bodied and full of character that shows plums, berries, wet earth and oyster shell flavours that are so unique to reds from this estate. Superb quality. 

Better to drink this in 2020 but try now to feel the greatness.