Château La Mission Haut-Brion (2018)

Lying across the road from the 1st Growth Chateau Haut Brion, La Mission has been producing wines that equal, and sometimes surpass, the 1st Growths. It is unquestionably one of the finest estates in Graves, producing full bodied wines of intense richness, extract and tannin, with comparable consistency to Latour in creating decent wines in mediocre vintages. This is due in no small measure to the winemaking brilliance of Jean Delmas who was brought into the team in 1983 when the Dillon family (owners of Chateau Haut Brion) bought the estate from the descendents of the Woltner family. Credit must be given to the Woltners who, during their 65 year reign, helped establish La Mission as a wine of 1st Growth quality. However it was Jean, and now his son Jean-Philippe, who have taken that inherent quality and turned it into one of the most sought-after wines in the world. Indeed it boasts more perfect scores than almost any other Bordeaux property.

Château La Mission Haut-Brion is one of the preeminent estates in Graves, Pessac-Léognan and is renowned for producing exceptionally concentrated and long-lived wines. The 2018 offers up a deep and concentrated nose, suggestive of very ripe grapes, underscored by complex oaky and spicy overtones. Starts out juicy on the palate, becoming full-bodied, tannic and succulent. The wine concludes on a long, evolving finish.

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