Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2024

What a bouquet—deep, fresh, delicately spicy, mineral; citrus leads, with exotic fruits in a supporting role. On the palate it’s clear and pure, highly precise, not an ounce of fat, very good structure, long, saline, spicy on the finish—absolutely breathtaking: a ballet dancer, expressive, controlled, playful, a true grace.

59% Sémillon, 41% Sauvignon Blanc. 38 hl/ha. Cask sample. Pale, translucent colour. Subtle citrus notes. Precise and persistent. Lots of lift and tension. Potential for greater complexity with a bit of bottle age. (JL)

The expressive nose easily reveals its aromas of white flowers, lemon rind, honeysuckle, and white peach. The palate is even better, with a wealth of sweet, ripe white peaches, Meyer lemons, spicy pineapples, and green apples. There is purity, elegance, and lift from start to finish. The wine is made from a blend of 59% Semillon and 41% Sauvignon Blanc, with picking taking place from September 3 to September 9. Yields were 38 hectoliters per hectare. 13.75% ABV, 3.25 pH. Drink from 2027–2040. 96-96 pts

A subtly complex nose, with nuances of lemon zest and linden. On the palate, the attack is smooth and creamy, as slender as a prima ballerina, brushing the palate like a whisper of taffeta. Then come refined notes of nectarine and bergamot.

Elegance and depth are immediately apparent, with a serene, explicit simplicity that feels truly dignified. The bouquet sets the tone for a wine whose main aim is simply to echo and extend that aromatic prelude. The palate is linear, precise, elegant and finely chiselled, carried by a structuring acidity. It has enough substance not to be too tightly reined in: there is straightness and tension, but also backbone and plenty to show for many years to come. A precise, accomplished and ambitious expression.

Lovely, elegant nose: precise, racy, crystalline, dynamic and fruity. It reveals notes of fresh white peach, crisp apple and, more lightly, fresh citrus, with touches of fresh passion fruit and pear blossom, as well as a discreet hint of fresh grapefruit, carambola and a subtle, almost fresh-hazelnut note in the background. The palate is beautifully guided, elegant, fruity, offering great purity/crystalline clarity, energy, delicacy and accuracy. Beautifully guided. On the palate, this wine shows notes of ripe lemon, juicy/vine peach and, more lightly, bright small white fruits, with fine hints of pink lychee, a touch of grapefruit blossom and citrus. Lovely finish with sapidity, creaminess and a subtle, sappy touch in the background that drives the tasting. A fine job on the pleasant bitters.

Beautifully gripping and fragrant aromatics—sage, white apricot and peach—this is a wonderful wine, aerial, lilting upwards through the palate, with tenacity yet the gentlest of holds. White roses, apple blossom, preserved citrus; precise and pretty, with a slow build of complexity. Clear ageing ability, one of the wines of the vintage. 40% new oak. Harvest September 2 to 10. 3.25 pH, yield 38 hl/ha.

Pale yellow colour with green highlights. An intense, refined nose with ripe fruit. Broad on the attack, juicy on the mid-palate and elegant, the wine becomes highly aromatic before finishing straight and sapid with a fine finish. Blend: 59% Sémillon, 41% Sauvignon. Alcohol: 13.75% - pH: 3.25.

Peach, honeysuckle, a touch of pineapple and lemon zest with floral scents of lemongrass too - subtle perfume. A shot of green apple and lemon zest gives the citrus zing although it turns a little bitter and toasted towards the finish. There's grip however with lovely purity and delicacy. It's a bit of a slow build that needed some coaxing but tension emerges with clear mineral aspects on the finish. 3.25pH.