Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2006

A somewhat under-the-radar La Mission, the 2006 was generally overlooked following the brilliance of the 2005. A young, dense purple-hued wine that is developing beautifully, it exhibits notes of Asian plum sauce, charcoal, barbecue smoke, roasted meats, graphite and background oak. Full-bodied with good acidity, moderate tannin and a vigorous, powerful youthfulness, the 2006 will age more quickly than the 2005, but it still requires another 5-8 years of cellaring. Anticipated Maturity: 2014-2035.

Almost jammy, with vanilla bean and coffee undertones. Full-bodied and very powerful, with big, juicy tannins and a long finish. Very big and generous for the vintage, showing exceptional quality. Best after 2015. 6,000 cases made.

Colour still tight and inky at 10 years old. Smooth, silky, very expressive; this is so powerful it almost lulls you into a false sense of security with the tannin integration on the first attack. Deceptively concentrated, this has persistency and freshness, plus layers of crushed black fruits, tar, cigar smoke and saffron. Right up there with the best wines of the tasting.

Tasted blind. Rich, savoury beef-extract nose. Racy and thick. Massively flattering and concentrated. Rich but not too sweet. Sinewy. (JR)

Full-bodied, still youthful, tannic and fresh, the wine shows smoke, tobacco, cassis, ripe black fruits and plenty of tannins. However, the tannins are firm and there is a strictness to the wine’s classic character that will appeal to some more than others. You will need to wait at least a decade before this opens up and is fun to drink.

A Tuscan touch, lots of plum and smoke. Fleshy, closed.

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 43 hl/ha. 66,000 bottles. Rather dark garnet with violet and purple reflections. Noble, finely smoky bouquet, lots of licorice, blackberries and bramble, dark woods; feels cool, yet shows an almost ripe Cabernet. On the palate, very juicy, which makes it seem a bit light at first; inside, a fairly unruly acidity with a gently metallic edge, the same capsule-like note already found in Chapelle (second wine). Despite its initial spontaneity, the wine comes across as reserved, inwardly rather firm and slightly furry in texture. This Mission currently feels somewhat upfront, fairly bourgeois, and will likely never develop real charm. For connoisseurs, a typical Mission in a more artisanal style, reminiscent of its own ’86. 10: Showed very closed at a lunch at Mission and displayed a strong Tuscan affinity. Plum compote, cocoa, lots of flesh; needs at least 10 more years.

Spicy, powerful, and closed bouquet, plums, tobacco, cedar, coffee beans, cold smoke. Concentrated, multi-layered, powerful palate with dense, dark aromatics, muscular, compact structure, dense black fruit, very long, dense, full finish. Can still improve. 18/20 2026 - 2050

Plenty of substance and a velvety texture, with a harmonious tannin grain; powerful yet classic overall, and among the most age-worthy of the vintage.

Garnet red. What an intense, convincing bouquet with notes of red berries and spices. A refreshing, juicy attack. On the palate, the body is compact and perfectly supported by the structure, which upholds the fruity aromatic character. The tannins are well-integrated and slightly grippy. The wine is very youthful, but what it reveals for now is compelling. Patience will be required. Long, persistent finish.

Logo on the cork: inverted T (Trescases) Faulty bottle Dark, intense color, barely evolved. Delicate nose with ripe, pleasant fruit. On the palate, the attack is consistent with what I know of this wine, but the mid-palate fades quickly and the finish tightens up. The profile of a faulty bottle. A major disappointment, as this vintage of LMHB can be brilliant.

94-96 Barrel Sample A smooth rich wine, with delicious, opulent soft fruit. Spice and tobacco along with acidity and great freshness. It is dense and concentrated, but like velvet.