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.

Linear, precise, fresh, with layers of citrus, fruit, minerality and notes of spice and grapefruit pith.

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.