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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 96.4 pts. and median of 97 pts. in 90 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by rnellans on 4/29/2024 & rated 96 points: Cru Crew Wine dinner hosted by Brad England (Mara restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel in Minneapolis, MN.): Served alongside '61 Latour, Lafite, Latour and Petrus in a tasting/dinner preceeded by 19 vintages of Ramonet Montrachet. Needless to say, my palate may not be 100% up to par. This wine seems different from previous bottles of this I have tasted. Very interesting nose and palate. I think that there may be a slight flaw in the wine, but certainly didn't detract from the enjoyment, but rather may have increased it. Dark fruit, tobacco, smoke with a 'sweet/sour' component to both the nose and palate. Long finish. Second in flight to the Latour imo. (76 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 4/2/2024 & rated 100 points: Tobacco, smoke, citrus, hot stones, tar, leather, herbs, red berries, and hint of citrus crowd into the nose. On the palate, the wine is even better with its power, intensity, vibrancy, and depth, finishing with bright, red fruits, truffle, tar, smoke, and cedar. Drink from 2024-2045. (786 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 10/19/2023: Alas, corked - we could have paid this more attention because it will still articulate on the palate. (1294 views) | | | Tasted by BradE on 7/22/2023: Historically a lovely vintage for LMHB and tonight's bottle was very good if not as profound as it can be. I ranked it 2nd in our quartet of 61's (Haut Brion, La Mission HB, Palmer, and Trotanoy). (923 views) | | | Tasted by GuanYu on 7/21/2023 & rated 99 points: Blind tasting. This bottle came from the infamous Rudy's private cellar. We tasted together. We opened at 7pm and drank at 9:30pm. Did not decant. Lots of sediments. Excellent condition.
Orange rim, brick red color. Fully matured yet still powerful and energetic. Tertiary aromas on the nose and palate. Nectar, prune, dried apricot, cigar, cedar and spices. A liquid kaleidoscope. Very long finish.
Given proper cellaring, I believe this bottle would age for at least another two decades. The sweetness and concentration from 1961 vintage was definitely showing.
Was this bottle authentic or counterfeit? We blind tasted against a 1966 Chateau Latour, and some guests preferred this La Mission over the Latour. If this were indeed a fake, it would have proven the genius of owner. It was certainly one of the best clarets I have ever tasted. (806 views) | | | Tasted by SGoo on 3/17/2023 & rated 98 points: Unlike the 1982 la mission, which was fruity and vibrant, the 1961 was leathery, subtle yet sophisticated. Absolutely love the 1961 more and enjoyed every sip of it. (1190 views) | | | Tasted by sdr on 1/28/2023 & rated 88 points: From a good looking bottle this La Mission Haut-Brion unfortunately was just a shadow of what it can be at its best. You get the famous smoke but not much of the cranberry fruit essence it usually has. Sound bottles of ‘61 La Mission Haut-Brion can still be great even now but this was not one of the better ones. Not a total loss though since the balance was actually decent even though you knew you were drinking a miniature version of a masterpiece. (1390 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 11/7/2022 & rated 98 points: This bottle showed similarly to my November 2020 note, but with a little bit more of everything. At first, I was worried about a subtle flaw on the nose but that blew off, leaving an unencumbered view of a glorious, mature Pessac. Cherry, roasted squab, eucalyptus, unsmoked cigar, warm earth, and leather mix on the detailed, fresh nose. The tiniest hint of volatility doesn't distract. True to LMHB of the era, the tannins are still a little grippy but I have no problem with that. (2820 views) | | | Tasted by Comte Flaneur on 10/20/2022 & rated 99 points: Opened but not decanted by Howard in the afternoon this opened up extraordinarily well in the glass for a glorious 45 or so minutes. It was so good that it towered over everything else we drank that night, including the 1989. Perfumed complex nose, with tertiary notes of old leather and dusty library; vibrant, taut, rich red and black fruits; it had such energy, fantastic structure, intensity and drive like other great 1961s, overlaid with kaleidoscopic complexity with earth and tobacco, and after half an hour sweet red fruits and molasses - a tour de force. After an hour it retreated somewhat then waxed and waned - at its pinnacle for those glorious 45 minutes it was a 100 point wine - I wrote down 99 (1140 views) | | | Tasted by BHRH on 5/31/2022 & rated 98 points: Original cork in excellent condition. Immediate waft of mature, complex aromas upon opening. Double decanted with only a small amount of sediment. Two hours later this was just starting to open but it took AT LEAST THREE HOURS to reach apogee - and what an unbelievably strong, fresh wine this is! Super aromatically concentrated and phenomenally well balanced. Deep cassis, tobacco, grilled meat and wild raspberry with lots of earthy aromas. Fully integrated tannins, sweet red and black fruits, a bit of minerality and cedar. Fabulous, long complex finish that you never want to end. A unicorn wine, for sure that seems to be in a really nice plateau!
DO NOT PnP - this needs plenty of time to fully open! (1414 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 4/6/2022 & rated 100 points: Heart-stopping in every sense of the word, this is off the hook in every sense of the word from start to finish. The intensity, length, power, and vibrancy, along with complexity, mouth-filling levels of earthy, smoked fruits, and a finish that wants to hang as long as you do is all there in spades. If you have Elon Musk over for dinner and he wants to know what wine to bring, this is the wine to ask for. (3278 views) | | | Tasted by sdr on 2/5/2022 & rated 94 points: 61s at 61 (Bourbon Steak, Aventura, Florida): While wonderful as usual this bottle of La Mission Haut-Brion was slightly less dazzling than perfect examples, delicious as it was. The usual concoction of cranberry and bonfire with a touch of creosote was all there, just missing a tiny bit of focus and precision. Excellent tannins and acidity. Could easily be Wine of the Night on most evenings, just not tonight. (1845 views) | | | Tasted by sdr on 11/8/2021 & rated 98 points: South Beach Jeff’s bottle, to celebrate DrinkBordeaux’s special birthday. From a stupendous assortment of great Bordeaux ‘59s, ‘61s and ‘89s, this was my favorite. Its heritage of hickory smoke and cassis let you know it had to be either Haut-Brion or La Mission Haut-Brion but the intensity and concentration swayed the vote to La Mission Haut-Brion. Really quite youthful and so fresh, it could have been the ‘89. But on the side-by-side, the ‘61 had just a bit more complexity and smoother structure but that is quibbling. Great persistence and a great future too at age sixty. (1758 views) | | | Tasted by tinybubbles on 8/26/2021 & rated 96 points: Lovely nose here with a range of spice, wood, floral and fruit notes. 96-97 (1923 views) | | | Tasted by tinybubbles on 8/7/2021 & rated 98 points: Complex and sparkling nose. Incredibly vibrant palate. Perfect bottle. 98+ (1729 views) | | | Tasted by tinybubbles on 7/25/2021 & rated 98 points: A close to perfect bottle. Soft savory spices, with some sweeter highlights. Varied wood notes, dark flowers, soil tones. Very smooth palate. Long finish. (1752 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 6/18/2021 & rated 98 points: Packed with enough tobacco wrapper to start a cigar store, the wine opened with strong tobacco leaf, cigar box, smoke, tar, leather, cedar and red currants. Full-bodied, earth, rich and concentrated, the finish is leafy, and equally, tobacco infused with red fruits. While clearly stunning, this was perhaps slightly less clean than the best examples I have tasted. (3335 views) | | | Tasted by fclarity on 5/23/2021 & rated 97 points: Tasted blind, this wine had a red/purple center with orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose emanated black cherry, plum, wet gravel, and Cuban cigar.
In the mouth, this wine had gorgeous silky tannin, fine grained acidity, amazing intensity, and great length.
This was a dramatic wine that was at the peak of its powers (as opposed to the HB which still seemed a touch tight). Look for an excuse to pop this baby. (1444 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 11/5/2020 & rated 96 points: Rich, sweet 61 blackcurrant and black cherry fruit married to cigar, pipe tobacco, warm earth, and a touch of lavender. A little volatile on the nose but supple and balanced on the palate with a long, long finish. (3112 views) | | | Tasted by WIBA on 11/1/2020 & rated 92 points: Classic example of an aged bordeaux. Beautiful minty nose and well balanced palate. Bit of maturity showing so I would drink up. Would give it a higher score but given the maturity tasted from this bottle, I lowered it. (1520 views) | | | Tasted by WIBA on 11/1/2020 & rated 94 points: Classic benchmark bordeaux. Intoxicating old minty nose and silky balance. But maturing so I'd drink up (1519 views) | | | Tasted by La Flama Blanca on 9/28/2020 & rated 100 points: WOTY candidate! A regal Bordeaux that exceeds even the highest of expectations. It’s like an amped up, riper version of the perfect ‘53. This LMHB is full-bodied, dense and powerful, but not without nuance and layers of complexity. Campfire smoke, scorched gravel, crushed violets and tobacco leaf with ripe and juicy dark fruits galore! A unicorn wine that deserves its own spot on top of the rating scale. 100+ (1285 views) | | | Tasted by hprphf on 3/6/2020 & rated 96 points: Zachy's La Paulee 2020; 3/5/2020-3/6/2020 (Le Bernardin Prive): Slightly corked, but the wine is great. The mature Bordeaux pedigree. 96++ (2547 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff Leve on 2/3/2020 & rated 100 points: Clearly, this belongs in the Wine Hall Of Fame! Beyond perfect, if such a thing exists, the nose, with its smoke, campfire, tar, leather, tobacco leaf, tobacco smoke, cigar box and forest floor nuances all serve to back up the ripe, juicy, cassis notes. Full-bodied, dense, powerful and equally regal and refined in character, the intensity here borders on surreal. The finish crosses over the 60-second mark and keeps on going! At that point I am sure I was heard say, "Please sir, can I have some more?" (4583 views) | | | Tasted by tinybubbles on 4/8/2019 & rated 97 points: Incredible complexity on the nose with sandalwood, tobacco, soil tones, cedar, and hints of coal dust. Long finish. Good bottle. (2592 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, Mission Complete: La Mission Haut-Brion 1928–2011 (Sep 2021) (9/1/2021)
(La Mission Haut-Brion La Mission Haut-Brion Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, Cellar Journal – Bordeaux to Start… (Jul 2018) (7/18/2018)
(La Mission Haut-brion La Mission Haut-brion Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Vinous Table: Boulud Sud, New York (May 2014)
(La Mission Haut-brion La Mission Haut-brion Pessac Léognan Cru Classé De Graves Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, The Big One (7/26/2011)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | The World of Fine Wine, June 2011, Issue #32
(La Mission Haut-brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Bad Boy Birthday Bash (7/16/2009)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | The World of Fine Wine, December 2008, Issue #22
(Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/23/2008)
(Ch La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, A Week of Golden Cellar Drinking (11/3/2007)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Putting "THE Cellar" In Perspective (11/5/2006)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Cellar Raiding, Hollywood Style (7/9/2006)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Summer Tasting Group News (8/22/2005)
(La Mission Haut Brion) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, July/August 2002, IWC Issue #103
(Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/28/2002)
(Ch La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Vintage Tastings and The World of Fine Wine and JancisRobinson.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château La Mission Haut-Brion Producer website - Read more about Chateau La Mission Haut Brion
Château La Mission-Haut-Brion is the greatest Graves wine after Haut-Brion and in some vintages is considered the superior wine of the two. La Mission-Haut-Brion is situated just across the road from Haut-Brion in the commune of Talence in the southern suburbs of Bordeaux. Since 1983, both properties have been under the same ownership, Domaine Clarence Dillon S.A. La Mission-Haut-Brion's vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 48%, Merlot 45%, Cabernet Franc 7%) lie on a large (up to 18 metres deep in places) gravel bank interspersed with clay. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and then matured in oak barriques (100% new) for 18 months. The wines of La Mission Haut Brion are rich, oaky and powerful and need at least 10 years of bottle ageing before they should be broached.
Jancis Robinson on La Mission Haut Brion.Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanGraves Vins de Graves (Conseil des Vins de Graves) - Read more about Pessac Leogan Graves and its winesPessac-Léognan Pessac-Leognan reds:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Soil: Predominantly gravel and sandy rock, with varying proportions of clay and sandstone
Surface Area: 1,491 ha
Pessac-Leognan whites:
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Soil: Gravel and rocks covered with sand, sandstone, and clay
Surface Area: 275 ha |
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