Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2016

Located across the road from Chateau Haut Brion, Chateau la Mission Haut Brion began in 1533 when Jean de Pontac purchased the property. He was the owner of Chateau Haut Brion at the time. Arnaud de Lestonnac purchased a plot of land known as Arregedhuys and he married Jean de Pontac sister, Marie.

In 1548, Arnaud died and his 4th son, Pierre, took over the estate. His daughter Olive de Lestonnac would transform the estate. She was married and widowed three times and without any heirs, she donated the property to Lazarists of Bordeaux. They were known as the Priest of la Mission.

The estate was seized during the revolution and sold to Martial-Victor Vaillant. For the next 100 years, it was owned by the Chiapella family. The Chiapella family were from Louisiana which allowed for very easy sales to the Unite States. In 1884, the Chiappela family sold the estate. It had numerous owners until the Woltner family purchased the estate in 1919.

The Woltners began to modernize the winery. In 1927, they introduced a white wine called Laville Haut Brion. The Woltner era ended in 1983 when the estate was sold to Domaine Clarence Dillon, Owner of Chateau Haut Brion. In 2009, Domaine Clarence Dillon changed the name to Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Blanc.

The 2016 is 62.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 37.5% Semillon. It is a very small production, only 500-700 cases.

The Chateau produces between 6,000 and 7,000 cases of the Grand Vin each year. The vineyard is planted 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. The Vineyards is 52 acres in two plots and straddles the communes of Pessac and Talence.

Wine Advocate: 93
The La Mission Haut Brion 2016 Blanc is a blend of 62.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 37.3% Smillon picked from 5-13 September. It has a crisp bouquet with kiwi, grapefruit and cold stone aromas, although it does not convey the vigor or complexity of the 2015, due to the lower proportion of Smillon. The palate is well balanced with a pleasant texture; there is orange zest, lime, a touch of stem ginger and a very satisfying, quite persistent finish. It is a well-made La Mission Haut Brion Blanc that should give 10-20 years of drinking pleasure.

Wine Advocate: 93

The La Mission Haut Brion 2016 Blanc is a blend of 62.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 37.3% Smillon picked from 5-13 September. It has a crisp bouquet with kiwi, grapefruit and cold stone aromas, although it does not convey the vigor or complexity of the 2015, due to the lower proportion of Smillon. The palate is well balanced with a pleasant texture; there is orange zest, lime, a touch of stem ginger and a very satisfying, quite persistent finish. It is a well-made La Mission Haut Brion Blanc that should give 10-20 years of drinking pleasure.

Decanter: 94
They have the weight of expectation here, of course, with this wine known to be one of the greatest whites in Bordeaux, and you can feel the battle against the summer drought. It's still stunning though, riven with rich citrus, white pepper and soft grilled almonds, and it grips the sides of your mouth, keeping up the pace. This is the first time since it changed its name from Laville Haut-Brion where there is more Sauvignon Blanc than Smillon, chosen because it helped to capture the freshness. 30% of the production went into this, 40% to Clart, and a full 30% into Clarendelle. The blend is 62.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 37.3% Smillon aged in 37% new oak.

Decanter: 94

They have the weight of expectation here, of course, with this wine known to be one of the greatest whites in Bordeaux, and you can feel the battle against the summer drought. It's still stunning though, riven with rich citrus, white pepper and soft grilled almonds, and it grips the sides of your mouth, keeping up the pace. This is the first time since it changed its name from Laville Haut-Brion where there is more Sauvignon Blanc than Smillon, chosen because it helped to capture the freshness. 30% of the production went into this, 40% to Clart, and a full 30% into Clarendelle. The blend is 62.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 37.3% Smillon aged in 37% new oak.

Wine Enthusiast: 96
Ripe yet crisp, this is a beautifully aromatic and well-balanced wine. Ample acidity complements an herbal character that comes from the Sauvignon Blanc, giving the wine tension and minerality. It is going to age well.

Vinous: 93
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is unusual in that it is the first vintage for this wine in which Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant variety. Ample and creamy on the palate, the 2016 offers plenty of depth and overall texture, but here those qualities are coming from the warm, dry weather that defined the final part of the growing season rather than the Smillon that usually forms the majority of the blend. There is a level of immediacy in the citrus peel, white flower and sage flavors that is quite appealing. Above all else, the Blanc is more a wine of variety (specifically Sauvignon Blanc) than of place, as is the case with the Haut-Brion Blanc. Deputy managing director Jean-Philippe Delmas attributes that to the average age of the Sauvignon vines here, which is on average on the lower side.

Vinous: 93

The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is unusual in that it is the first vintage for this wine in which Sauvignon Blanc is the dominant variety. Ample and creamy on the palate, the 2016 offers plenty of depth and overall texture, but here those qualities are coming from the warm, dry weather that defined the final part of the growing season rather than the Smillon that usually forms the majority of the blend. There is a level of immediacy in the citrus peel, white flower and sage flavors that is quite appealing. Above all else, the Blanc is more a wine of variety (specifically Sauvignon Blanc) than of place, as is the case with the Haut-Brion Blanc. Deputy managing director Jean-Philippe Delmas attributes that to the average age of the Sauvignon vines here, which is on average on the lower side.

James Suckling: 99
This is dense like a Montrachet yet so minerally with crushed-stone undertones. Full-bodied, layered and powerful. A great glass of white wine. First time they used a majority of sauvignon blanc.