Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2003

WEINWISSER: "Aufhellendes Weinrot, mit vielen Purpurreflexen in der Mitte, relativ transparent am Rand. Sehr süsses Bouquet, Vanillinnoten, Kokos, Ruby Port, helle Edelhölzer und ein verschwenderischer Hauch von klebrigen Amarenakirschen. Cremiger, sehr saftiger, üppiger Gaumen, weiche Säure, der Körper hat Charme und die Textur ist schon fast rahmig, trotzdem ist genügend Frische drin, so dass man diesem Wein eine ganz grosse Zukunft zumuten darf."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Rich and sweet initially and then overlaid by tarry Haut-Brion minerals. Great sweetness, almost a burnt quality, and then some dustiness. Lots of pleasure even if far from the purest, most backward expression of La Mission."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Every year, this estate turns in a wine which closely rivals the neighboring Haut-Brion. This year, the rivalry is just as intense. This has sweet, ripe, beautiful fruit, delicious acidity already. But wait for the tannins to kick in."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Aromas of blackberry, tobacco and hints of oak. Full-bodied, with lots of silky and round tannins and a long finish. Lots going on here. Layered and powerful. Best after 2010. 460 cases made. — JS"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2003 La Mission Haut-Brion shows more creme de cassis, plenty of cedar wood, melted licorice and charcoal in a medium to full-bodied wine. It is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Rustic tannins in the back knock down the ultimate pleasure, and the point score, ever so slightly, but there’s no doubting the complex, perfumey, noble aromatics this wine has managed to attain despite the staggering heat and drought in June, July and August. This has reached full maturity, but should hold nicely for another 7-10 years."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The wine is better on the smoke and tobacco, campfire ember, red berry nose than on the soft, easy drinking, mid-weight palate. Seemingly mature beyond its years, this is a nice, restrained, charming wine, but it lacks the power, vigor, complexity and the ability for aging found in the better years. In short, if you have it, drink it over the next decade."

JAMES SUCKLING: " Soft and spicy, with plenty of berry and chocolate. Round and delicious, showing wonderfully right now. Enjoy this. Find the wine."