Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Château La Mission Haut-Brion sits directly across the road from its legendary sister property, Château Haut-Brion, in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Both estates are owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon. The 2021 blend comprises 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc — a Cabernet-dominant assemblage reflecting the vintage character. Vinification took place in large, 180-hectoliter, temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, followed by 22 months of aging in 100% new French oak barrels. Notably, the estate performs its final blending shortly after malolactic fermentation and before barrel aging begins, a distinctive practice designed to let the wine's fruit and terroir expression integrate without the early influence of new wood shaping individual lots.

On the nose: Rose, violets and peonies, with dark chocolate and cassis, perfumed and aromatic. A crystalline quality to the fruit, so driven and pure on the palate. Energetic and lively filled with strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and plum - direct with a vein of exotic spice - cinnamon and clove, as well as touches of orange, bitter grapefruit, dark chocolate and crushed stone. Such a lot going on here, but so well delivered with intensity and direction with racy acidity that keeps everything lifted the whole way through. Lovely minerality on the tongue, the graphite lingering with the juiciness that is still so mouthwatering even on the finish. Compelling and charming. Drinking Window: 2027-2050. (Georgina Hindle,decanter.com)