France

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc Pessac-Leognan

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

Still young at 7 years old, medium weight with ripples of white peach, chamomile, grilled cardamon and saffron, cutting through the brighter, more vivid notes of crisp citrus, green apple and slate. Finessed and enticing, with clear long ageing ahead, one of the whites of the vintage. 68% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 4 to 29. This was opened two hours before the tasting, as were the reds, but kept in the fridge as it was a warm day.

Inside Bordeaux

Zesty, focused, bright and vivid, white flowers, gorgeous texture and aromatics, pulls you forward through the palate, structured and with great ageing ability. Delicious vintage of this wine. 40% new oak. Harvest from August 21 through to September 5 for the 2.5ha of white wines. A test with shade cloths to mitigate heat spikes is underway at the estate, will be fascinating to watch the progress.

This is an extremely impressive white that has high levels of Sémillon in the blend this year, helped by old vines that resisted the heat well. Gorgeous construction and balance, with precision-cut citrus, bitter almond, slate, dill, white pepper spice, a juicy grip through the palate and noble bitterness bringing things to a close. Less 1st wine than last year - 20% less first wine with the same yield; 41% new oak barrels for ageing. Harvest August 17 to 23.

Austere, thrilling, still a little closed, more upright than I might have expected when you compare to how finessed and open the Mission red is at this point. Instead this is coiled, serious, with a curl of gunsmoke, citrus and white tea. Expands through the palate to show clear volume, and stretches out slowly but surely, totally delicious salinity with its oyster shell finish. Diam closure since 2017.

Dominant Sémillon character at this stage in its life, despite having higher Sauvignon Blanc in the blend than usual, giving structure, plenty of waxed citrus peel, lime zest and white peach. Twist of noble bitterness on the finish, excellent grip and salinity. Harvested 27 August to 5 September. 3.27ph.

Hard to fault this gorgeous wine, with white peach, citrus, fleshy pear and apricot pit, along with the fennel and crushed sage that add a welcome touch of bitterness. A crisp pulse of minerality keeps things moving through the palate, and this is seductive and vibrant, playing with you and keeping you engaged.

The white 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion explodes with notes of guava, pineapple, and ripe peaches, plus touches of honeyed toast and cedar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut and layered, with lovely zesty sparks and a long, spicy finish. 

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

How many white wines can hold for 2.5 hours over a long lunch and get better and better even as they warm up, and even after tasting next to some stellar reds? At 23 years old , this is just luscious and indulgent, filled with orange peel, mandarin, saffron, slate, citrus, goes long, hard not to fall in love. A rare wine and worth every effort to get hold of it.

2023	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2022	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2021	kr 6 899,90Available	Extraordinary
2020	kr 6 800,70Not available	Extraordinary
2019	kr 8 900,00Not available	Extraordinary

Category	White wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Vintages	2017
Country	France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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