Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der La Mission Haut-Brion 2021 hat eine dunkle, dichte Farbe und konnte seine Qualität von den Primeurs-Verkostungen eindeutig bestätigen. Feine, schwarze Früchte finden sich mit viel Würze angereichert im wuchtigen Geruch wieder, umrahmt von feinem Holz und ausgezeichneter Tiefenstaffelung. Dicht und komplex erscheint er im Mund sehr intensiv und körperreich. Ein großer jugendlicher La Mission, der sich sehr geschliffen und ewig lang präsentiert, mit feinen Gerbstoffen und enorm viel Extrakt und Dichte. Seine cremige Süße im tiefen Finale ist sehr balanciert und fein. 13.5 Vol.-% Alkohol. Alles andere als ein kleiner Jahrgang!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Yeast and apple aromas are lifted by the wine's acidity and a citrus shot. It is still young, its apple flavors and touches of wood giving shape to this impressive wine. Drink from 2026."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackcurrants and graphite aromas follow through to a medium body with very fine tannins and a savory finish. Fluid, with a subtle and open character. Stone and dust at the end. So drinkable now but will improve with age."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion unfurls in the glass with a complex, detailed bouquet of plums, cassis, flowers, spices, licorice and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its fleshy, layered core of fruit is framed by beautifully velvety tannins. In bottle, much as en primeur, this blend of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc is a charming, sensual rendition of La Mission."

DECANTER: "Green peppercorns and tomato leaf mingle with blackcurrant on the nose. Quite herbal and savoury, earthy almost with hints of fragranced perfume also. Supple with lots of energy, focus and precision - this has a real brightness to the red berry summer fruits. Crystalline and pure, a weightless touch almost but there are still tannins that give a soft support around the palate. Elegant and charming, not demonstrative really, but confident nonetheless. Quite high acidity keeps the freshness and zing and this also has a graphite undertone giving the minerality. Well worked and a characterful wine. Delicate but very enjoyable."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Ein Hauch von Gewürznelken und Lakritze, süßer Tabak, Brombeerkonfit und reife Kirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten sind unterlegt. Mittlerer Körper, rotbeerige Textur, seidige Tannine, gute Frische, mineralisch und anhaftend, ein eleganter Speisenbegleiter, bereits gut antrinkbar, verfügt über Reifepotenzial."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "La Mission Haut-Brion 2021 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It is closed at this youthful stage, needing a fair bit of shaking to wake up notions of plum preserves, redcurrants, and wild blueberries, followed by nuances of rose oil, Indian spices, and fragrant earth. The medium-bodied palate delivers impressive tension, with a fine-grained texture to frame the bright, bold red and black fruits, finishing long and spicy."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Black raspberries, dried flowers, tobacco, violets, and a beautiful spicy character emerge from the 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, a pure, medium-bodied, incredibly polished, elegant Péssac-Léognan that has fine tannins, an utterly seamless, graceful mouthfeel, no hard edges, and a gorgeous finish. It plays in the more elegant, fresher style of the vintage yet brings ample depth and richness, has good mid-palate depth, and is already just about impossible to resist. Give bottles just 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Bright, firm, lifted, and medium-bodied, the wine kicks off with a smoky, spicy note before you find its core of vibrant red fruits with their salty-edge. This is a classic, reserved style of LMHB that will please fans of less-exuberant vintages. Drink from 2026-2055."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "A mix of refined power and elegance. Deep crimson hue. Fragrant dark fruit and cassis notes as the wine opens. Texturally very fine with plentiful tannins that are coated and smooth. Lovely freshness accompanied by persistence and drive. Great balance. Plenty of potential."