Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2023

Deep, noble, fascinating, with immensely refined aromas—violet, cherry, cassis; a finely chiselled palate, carved from stone, crisp, juicy, highly elegant, dancingly light and with excellent length. An outstanding La Mission, classic in the house style.

Surpassing the expectations formed at the en primeur stage, the 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion unfurls in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries, spices, liquorice, burning embers and pencil shavings. Medium- to full-bodied, ample and velvety, it is suave and seamless, built around a perfectly controlled, dense core of fruit framed by powdery, structuring tannins and lively acidity, extending into a long, seemingly endless and ethereal finish. The blend comprises 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.7% Cabernet Franc.

A generously scented nose, very floral and perfumed, lovely high aromatics and fully expressive. Blue fruits, red cherries and some plum. Weighty and full, this really leaves a lasting impression on the palate, juicy but not too much, a tiny hint of sourness in the back gives the zing while the structure and the tannins do most of the talking, really putting the structure at the fore with a powdery, chalkiness that lingers. It’s serious, but in no way austere. Weighty but still streamlined. Chocolate, cherry and blackcurrant, feels very calm and confident, polished and sophisticated. It’s not trying too hard and feels settled in the glass. Delicious. 3.8pH. 4.4 acidity. 80 IPT. 47% grand vin production.

Blackberries, spice, smoke, flowers, and currants shine in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, yet refined, long, deep, and intense. There is a vibrancy to the fruits that pairs perfectly with the smoky notes, currants, and blackberries. There is depth, length, and volume, with an easy-going elegance and lift. Nothing is pushed. Everything is balanced and in place. The sneaky finish builds, lingers, and resonates its essence. Part of the success of the vintage is due to July, with its cloudy skies, which provided protection from the sun, helping to keep ABV levels down. In the cellars, the extraction was soft, at lower temperatures. The wine blends 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17.7% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% ABV. 3.7 pH. Harvesting took place September 6–October 3. Only 42% of the harvest was placed into the grand vin. Drink from 2030–2060. 95–97 pts.

52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.7% Cabernet Franc. Beguiling perfume, black cherry, seductive violet notes and licorice. On the second nose, refined cassis spice, chocolate pastilles and blueberry jelly. On the complex palate with a silky texture, tight-knit ripe tannic structure, balanced verve and a well-trained body. In the concentrated, long finish, small black berries, dark precious wood and regal astringency.

Red roses, powdery chalky tannins, grip and lift; this is savoury, concentrated, full of energy and vibrancy, with layers of lush ripe red and black fruits, with the inky stamp of the Cabernet in the vintage, and the caressing tannins that La Mission does so well. Harvest started early and finished late, through to October 5.

Score: 95–97. The nose, both intoxicating and delicate, reveals languorous notes of ripe black fruits (plum) and slate, then perfumed flowers (peony, iris). On the palate, the ripe, succulent fruit—initially framed by fine, sappy, delicate tannins—breaks free to burst across the tongue in a controlled explosion. An elegant, energetic wine that concludes with a sumptuous finish.

It surprised us with its accomplished, vibrant, and gourmand character: a nose of dark fruits and purple flowers; the attack is superbly classy, the texture fluid and airy, the tannins slightly creamy, very abundant, and suave. More florality on the retronasal, including peony and red rose.

96-98. Barrel Sample. This fine wine has a rounded edge along with aromas of spice and black fruits. The wine is dense but with layers of acidity and with complex tannins. Showing the opulent black fruits so often found at this estate, and with a smooth texture, there is great promise of long-term aging.