2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- Cabernet Sauvignon (51.7%),Merlot (43.2%),Cabernet Franc (5.1%)
Not ready
- James Suckling
- 98-99/100
- Jane Anson MW
- 97/100
- Yohan Castaing
- 94-96+/100
- James Lawther MW
- 17.5/20
- Jeb Dunnuck
- 95-97/100
- Antonio Galloni
- 97-99/100
- Neal Martin MW
- 97-99/100
- Georgie Hindle
- 97/100
Product: 20228008990
Description
Unusually, La Mission was the more forward and open at our tasting when shown beside its sibling Haut-Brion. Its aromas are very perfumed and pure, and the acidity is relatively low, so the wine is open in texture yet still with a nugget of ripe, concentrated fruit at its core. Its openness makes it easier to read than Haut-Brion and fascinating aromas include rose, violet, allspice and tobacco.
These notes make the wine uncharacteristically accessible, but its ability to age should not be underestimated. The tannins remain impressive, but at present, it does not feel as if there is as much to unfurl as in the Haut-Brion – though it is early days.
Cabernet Sauvignon 52%; Merlot 43%; Cabernet Franc 5%
Drink 2030 - 2060
Score: 17.5/20
Berry Bros. & Rudd (April 2023)
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2022
Maturity Not ready
Grape List Cabernet Sauvignon (51.7%),Merlot (43.2%),Cabernet Franc (5.1%)
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château La Mission-Haut-Brion
Critics reviews
James Suckling 98-99/100
This has a real al dente fruit character on the palate with lemon rind and blackcurrants with blueberries. Lead pencil and stone, too. Full-bodied with chewy and juicy tannins that are primary and growing quickly on the palate as you taste it. Reminds me of the 1978, but brighter and more precise. 51.7% cabernet sauvignon, 43.2% merlot and 5.1% cabernet franc.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (April 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Jane Anson MW 97/100
One of the most intense Missions that I can remember in terms of colour, but the density in the phenolics is beautifully balanced on the palate by red roses and peony aromatics, edges of violet, incense, cigar box, black pepper spice, with clear grip and fierce concentration. It delivers an exceptional feeling of walking the line between excess and restraint, which is hard to resist. Yields a little higher on Cabernet Sauvignon than in Haut-Brion, so there is a higher percentage here.Drink 2030 - 2050jane_anson_mw, janeanson_com (May 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Yohan Castaing 94-96+/100
A rich and muscular wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals aromas of dark berries, cherries, and crème de cassis mingled with liquorice, spices, incense and spring flowers. Full-bodied, broad and concentrated, it’s surprisingly lively despite an elevated pH of 4.0, exhibiting a seamless, broad-shouldered profile with an ample core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannin. It’s a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc.Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (April 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
James Lawther MW 17.5/20
51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot, 5.1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.Deep, bright crimson. Subdued but with a stony freshness. Cassis as it opens. Vibrant attack with good acidity and freshness. Long and linear, the tannins are firm but wrapped in fruit. Persistent.Drink 2032 - 2055james_lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97/100
While I don’t see the 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion matching the legendary wines from this address at this early stage, it’s nevertheless a gorgeous wine in the making. Based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, it has a pure, elegant, lengthy style as well as classic cassis and darker cherry fruits, some smoky, tobacco, scorched earth nuances, medium to full body, perfectly ripe tannins, and a great finish. I love its tannins, and it’s a forward, seamless, balanced beauty that will shine with just short-term cellaring.jeb_dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (May 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Antonio Galloni 97-99/100
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. La Mission is positively striking, Dark, powerful, and imposing, with compelling inner sweetness. The purity of the flavours is striking, but the wine’s statuesque personality might be even more impressive. Time in the glass brings out various savoury and mineral notes that add complexity. The balance here is just mind-blowing. What a wine!Drink 2032 - 2062antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com (April 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Neal Martin MW 97-99/100
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is matured in 70% new oak. It has a very refined bouquet with mineral-driven dark berry fruit, hints of Earl Grey and freshly-rolled tobacco, focused with exquisite delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins that still provide the backbone to the most elegant La Missions I have tasted at this stage. It is harmonious and silky toward its extremely persistent finish. At the moment, it has got its nose just in front of its First Growth sibling...at least at the moment. For sure, it's going to be one of the standouts of the 2022 vintage.Drink 2029 - 2065Neil Martin, Vinous.com.com (April 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
Georgie Hindle 97/100
Gorgeous intensity on the nose, really fragrant and perfumed, and richly scented with black fruits and bramble berries. Round, full, persistent and thrilling on the palate, a perfect balance between rich, concentrated and intense fruit and lively acidity. There is density and crispness while remaining quite pure and focussed, with no overt over-ripeness or heaviness. Precise and elegant, juicy and alive. This has supreme charm. 4pH.Drink 2030 - 2052Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com (April 2023)
Drink 2032 - 2055
About this wine
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most famous red wine grape in the world and one of the most widely planted.
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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.
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