Community Tasting Note

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Sunday, March 5, 2017 - Tasted alongside 2001 Haut-Brion.

Dark red center fading to brick red rim. Moderate-plus intensity nose begins with tobacco and dark fruit, emphasizing plum and black raspberry. Slightly mossy notes accompanied by dried herbs, licorice, and menthol. Nose eventually exhibits significant smoked meat character plus some Worcestershire. On the palate, there is cassis, plum, and black raspberry. The herbs appear here again, but they are fresher on the palate than on the nose. There are tobacco flavors plus a slight nuttiness. Wine has a long, appealingly phenolic finish. Remains quite concentrated and has a silky body with well-integrated medium tannins and medium-plus acidity. Has room to develop.

Concluded that in 2001, La Mission beats Haut-Brion, with La Mission being more structured, gamier, and longer lived, albeit with less acidity. Of course, the greater structure of La Mission fits the general profile of it versus Haut-Brion, but in 2001, the structure adds significant quality to the wine.

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