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RP
100
DN
99
JS
99
Critic reviews

2020 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Sale price $370.00 | Sold Out | Drink or Cellar

The warm and dry 2020 vintage in Pessac-Léognan produced wines of remarkable depth and concentration. Château La Mission Haut-Brion showcases aromas of blackcurrants, tobacco, and gravelly earth, with hints of graphite. The palate is powerful and layered, with firm tannins and a long, mineral-inflected finish.


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Cellared at 55°F & 70% Humidity

Critic Reviews
100

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion is a brilliant effort that exhibits a level of balance and integration that are impressive in such a powerful young Bordeaux. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with burning embers, pencil shavings, violets and smoked black tea, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered, elegantly muscular profile, its brooding core of fruit framed by a generous endowment of powdery tannin that tempers the ripeness of the vintage. Checking in at 14.7% alcohol, it's nonetheless more classically styled than the more flamboyant 2019 vintage or even the slowly maturing 2010 which I re-tasted alongside for context.

Robert Parker
99

Lastly, the Grand Vin 2020 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is cut from the same cloth as the La Chapelle, only it brings more of everything. Black raspberries, cassis, ripe cherries, sandalwood, smoked tobacco, and acacia flowers are just some of its nuances, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless, sexy mouthfeel, remarkable tannins, and a great, great finish. The level of purity, finesse, and elegance, paired with incredible concentration, is something to behold. Give bottles just 5-7 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following half a century. The blend is 48.6% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, hitting a natural alcohol of 14.7%.

Decanter
99

Perfectly ripe black and blue berries on the nose with blackcurrants, too. Crushed fruit. Complex and perfect. Full and intense. You feel the intensity of the tannins, yet it is not overpowering. They are in a sophisticated and elegant state. Muscular and formed finish. Gorgeous in every sense of the word. Strength with finesse. Drink after 2030.

James Suckling
The Estate

Château La Mission Haut-Brion is a prestigious wine estate located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, France. Founded in the 16th century, it has a long and illustrious history in winemaking. The estate was acquired by the owners of Château Haut-Brion, the Dillon family, in 1983, but it continues to maintain its distinct identity and wine style. La Mission Haut-Brion is classified as a Graves Cru Classé, producing both red and white wines of exceptional quality and aging potential.

10123573100817 1990
1990
1990

Old Vines Master Sun

Intense summer warmth challenged vines, but La Mission's deep gravel-clay soils provided perfect water balance through heat spikes. The estate's ancient parcels and strategic Graves position preserved freshness despite intense temperatures. The wine reveals profound smoke notes, black fruit intensity, and the mineral tension that marks this historic site.

10123573100817 1993
1993
1993

Late Rain Challenges Harvest

September rains complicated the harvest timing at La Mission, yet the estate's renowned gravel soils provided crucial drainage during the wet period. The old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the Haut-Brion plateau demonstrated their ability to withstand difficult conditions. The wine reflects the vintage's lean character, showing classic Graves tobacco and earth notes with moderate concentration and an elegant structure.

10123573100817 2015
2015
2015

Perfect Conditions Yield Bordeaux Gem

The 2015 growing season at La Mission Haut-Brion was characterized by a warm, dry summer followed by ideal conditions during harvest. These factors led to perfect ripeness in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, resulting in grapes with exceptional concentration and balance. The 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion captures the essence of this stellar vintage, showcasing both power and elegance.

10123573100817 2019
2019
2019

Freshness Meets Bordeaux Power

The 2019 growing season at La Mission Haut-Brion saw a mix of challenges and favorable conditions, with a rainy spring followed by a hot, dry summer. Timely rains in September refreshed the vines, allowing for optimal ripening and harvest under ideal conditions. The resulting wine showcases the vintage's hallmark freshness and concentration, with La Mission Haut-Brion's signature power and finesse.

10123573100817 2020
2020
2020

Deep Roots Find Water

Early summer heat in Pessac-Léognan accelerated ripening across La Mission's historic gravelly slopes. The estate's ancient vines, deeply rooted in the complex gravel-clay subsoils, maintained crucial balance through intense drought conditions. The wine captures both power and precision, showing the concentrated dark fruits and smoky mineral notes that define this noble terroir.

10123573100817 2021
2021
2021

Gravel Heights Shield Fruit

Early frost impact was followed by difficult conditions through July, yet the vineyard's elevated gravel croupe provided crucial drainage during late summer rains. The estate's unique microclimate helped extend the growing season through October. The final blend shows impressive concentration with crushed rock minerality and La Mission's characteristic smoky complexity despite the challenging year.

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