Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 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 United States. In 1884, the Chiappela family sold the estate. The Chateau 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.

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 are 52 acres in 2 plots and straddles the communes of Pessac and Talence.

Wine Spectator: 98
This is a seductive, rounded and smooth wine, with fine fruit that cushions the solid tannins. It has spicy tones and ample acidity as well as delicious, concentrated fruitiness. This is going to be a beautiful wine.

Wine Advocate: 100
The 2016 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 57.5% Merlot and 42.5% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 19 September and 14 October, one of the longest ever. We had to be patient and wait for each plot, Jean-Philippe Delmas told me. It took longer than usual. As is customary, I allowed my sample, and likewise all the wines poured at this tasting, around 40-45 minutes to open since they always transform in the glass. It has a clean and precise, quite understated bouquet with fine mineralit, cold stone aromas infusing the black fruit. This has incredible precision, perhaps even more pixelated than the gaff over the road Haut-Brion. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and lithe tannin. I appreciate the line of acidity here, the smoothness and harmony that takes your breath away. Every atom is infused with life-affirming freshness. It is a wine bridled with incredible focus and delineation. I thought that the 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion flirted with perfection. The 2016 has that extra edge, a je ne sais quoi that leaves you reaching for the thesaurus looking for superlatives.

Wine Advocate: 100

The 2016 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 57.5% Merlot and 42.5% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 19 September and 14 October, one of the longest ever. We had to be patient and wait for each plot, Jean-Philippe Delmas told me. It took longer than usual. As is customary, I allowed my sample, and likewise all the wines poured at this tasting, around 40-45 minutes to open since they always transform in the glass. It has a clean and precise, quite understated bouquet with fine mineralit, cold stone aromas infusing the black fruit. This has incredible precision, perhaps even more pixelated than the gaff over the road Haut-Brion. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and lithe tannin. I appreciate the line of acidity here, the smoothness and harmony that takes your breath away. Every atom is infused with life-affirming freshness. It is a wine bridled with incredible focus and delineation. I thought that the 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion flirted with perfection. The 2016 has that extra edge, a je ne sais quoi that leaves you reaching for the thesaurus looking for superlatives.

Decanter: 98
Wonderful La Mission this year, graceful but with an unmistakable sense of controlled power. The wine just expands outwards and upwards in your mouth - insistent but terribly polite about it. It is deep and silky, shot through with coffee grounds, damson and soft cassis on a creamy mid-palate, utterly beautiful. There is a real energy and vitality here, with a caressing texture to the tannins and huge persistency on the finish. Dense, and yet so finessed that you could almost drink it today. Wow.

Decanter: 98

Wonderful La Mission this year, graceful but with an unmistakable sense of controlled power. The wine just expands outwards and upwards in your mouth - insistent but terribly polite about it. It is deep and silky, shot through with coffee grounds, damson and soft cassis on a creamy mid-palate, utterly beautiful. There is a real energy and vitality here, with a caressing texture to the tannins and huge persistency on the finish. Dense, and yet so finessed that you could almost drink it today. Wow.

Wine Enthusiast: 98
This is a seductive, rounded and smooth wine, with fine fruit that cushions the solid tannins. It has spicy tones and ample acidity as well as delicious, concentrated fruitiness. This is going to be a beautiful wine.

Vinous: 97
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion is a total knockout. Vertical and powerful, but not at all austere, it exudes class. Fine-grained tannins support the fruit, but they are barely felt, as the wine's balance is so extraordinary. Lifted floral notes and a host of red fruits give the 2016 energy and verve. I can't wait to see how it ages.

James Suckling: 97
The texture to this is very beautiful with chewy yet very polished tannins. Full-bodied, tight and mouth-filling. Starts very slowly and then takes off. Love the energy in this.