2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Merlot (48%), Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Cabernet Franc (6%)
- James Suckling
- 94-95/100
- William Kelley
- 94-96/100
- Jane Anson MW
- 97/100
- James Lawther MW
- 17.5/20
- Neal Martin
- 93-95/100
Free standard delivery on orders over £125
In Bond purchases can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse
Covered by our quality guarantee
Description
Merlot 48%, Cabernet Sauvignon 46%, Cabernet Franc 6%
Just as with Château Haut-Brion, the tannins are tightly wound and the fruit cool and restrained. But this also has the sense of a dog pulling at its lead, waiting for its shackles to be loosened. This is one of the most obvious examples in this vintage of a return to the “classicism” of the last century, of a wine with both grip and freshness. Yet its intensity is very much of this century. This is a wine for both purists and enthusiasts. Drink 2028-2050.
Our score: 18/20
Berry Bros. & Rudd, April 2022
Critics reviews
Lots of sea-salt, iodine and purple-fruit aromas and flavors to this. Turns to bark and forest floor. Powerful. Full-bodied and muscular. 47.9% merlot, 45.8% cabernet sauvignon and 6.3% cabernet franc.
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with loamy soil, sweet spices, cigar box and licorice, the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion is full-bodied, lively and seamless, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit framed by bright acids and supple, powdery tannins. This charming, sensual rendition of La Mission is a blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, attaining 13.4% alcohol.
Plenty of classic La Mission finesse and balance, touches of cloves and velvety tannins, this is supremely balanced and elegant, with pumice stone minerality. It is a little taut on the finish in its tannic structure and no question majors more heavily on the cool blue fruit character than we have seen with this property in recent years. Seriously enjoyable, a total masterclass in cool climate fruit delivery. Easy to recommend. 73% new oak, harvest September 20 to October 8. No frost impact here and very little mildew, meaning the overall yield was up to 47hl/h, extremely generous for the vintage.
Drink 2028 - 2044
A mix of refined power and elegance. Deep crimson hue. Fragrant dark fruit and cassis notes as the wine opens. Texturally very fine with plentiful tannins that are coated and smooth. Lovely freshness accompanied by persistence and drive. Great balance. Plenty of potential.
Drink 2030 - 2050
The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion is blessed with an ethereal bouquet, subtle touches of wilted iris petal and truffle infuse the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, perfectly judged acidity, quite compact on the mid-palate with linear and correct finish. Not the most charming La Mission Haut-Brion. You could argue that it is slightly "aloof", yet intuition tells me it has something up its sleeve for later on. Patience necessary.
Drink 2027 - 2060
About this wine
Pessac-Léognan
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Delivery and Quality Guarantee
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Free delivery on orders over £125.
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Wines and spirits purchased In Bond from Berry Bros. & Rudd can be stored in our temperature-controlled warehouse.
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Every bottle sold by Berry Bros. & Rudd is subject to our quality guarantee. If a wine or spirit is corked or faulty, we will replace or refund it.
Registered company 05492886. BB&R Limited, trading as Berry Bros. & Rudd, 3 St James's Street, London, SW1A 1EG. All rights reserved. You must be 18 or over to order. Calls may be recorded.
