2010 La Mission Haut Brion

100 RP

Qty:

From the critics:

100 JS

98 VM

98 DEC

97 WS

97 WE

Featured Review

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion has a commanding, profound nose of baked blackberries, boysenberries and warm cassis plus suggestions of candied violets, red roses, chocolate box, cedar chest and smoked meats with a waft of iron ore. Full-bodied, powerful and hedonic, the palate bursts with expressive black fruits and floral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with epic length. A real head-turner, this beauty is already very impressive, but for that full WOW experience I would give it another 3-5 years in bottle to blossom. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Robert Parker | 100 RP

This is crazy. The nose is so unique with the iodine, stones and currant aromas with wet earth and mushroom. Aromas like this don’t usually come out until 10 years or so in the bottle. Classic nose for this estate. Full-bodied, with an amazing palate of firm yet polished tannins and a solid palate. So dense and gorgeous. It is really stunning. Try in 2020.

James Suckling | 100 JS

The 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion has a very flattering bouquet with detailed red and black fruit laced with chestnut, cedar and sous-bois. This is supremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins. There is immense depth here, more savoury than expected with chestnut once again, white pepper and a tinge of dried blood towards the finish. Outstanding. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

Vinous Media | 98 VM

More subdued on the nose but with striking cinnamon and black pepper notes alongside the blackberry and spiced dark chocolate, this is concentrated and velvety and extremely high quality. Again it is the texture, the construction, that grabs you. There is a similar feel to Haut-Brion, in its weight and power, just a little less elongated stretching out of the tannins through the final furlong. But believe me, you’ll enjoy this too. Drinking Window 2025 - 2050

Decanter | 98 DEC

Intense and engaging. Despite showing lots of heft and tarry grip, the singed apple wood and alder notes are well-defined in this red, accentuating a core of roasted fig, blackberry coulis and macerated red and black currant fruit. The long, bramble-edged finish sports showy ganache and Lapsang souchong tea notes, while the structure refuses to yield until everything has finally played out. Muscular and vivacious. Best from 2019 through 2040. 5,100 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 97 WS

This rich, open wine has both acidity and impressively ripe white and yellow-fruit flavors. The creaminess creates a sense of richness underlined by the wood aging. This is a balanced wine, already well integrated and likely to age well. Drink from 2024.

Wine Enthusiast | 97 WE

(Château La Mission Haut-Brion) The 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion is the most mammoth of all the wines in the Dillon stable in 2010, as it tips the scales at an unprecedented 15.1 percent in alcohol. The nose is very, very deep, very ripe and amazingly, also quite compelling, as it offers up scents of black cherries, sweet cassis, bitter chocolate, soil tones, cigar smoke, gravel and a very well-integrated and generous base of new oak. I much prefer the wood integration on the 2010 La Mission to the 2009 at the same stage a year ago. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, powerful and sharply acidic, with a rock solid core of pure fruit, very hard tannins, excellent focus and great length and grip on the tensile finish. The acids today are quite coarse and one hopes that they will eventually be tamed. They tend to really sharpen the expression of the fruit, but they are not currently integrated into the body of the wine and cause a fair bit of discordance on the finish at the present time. The 2010 La Mission, despite its higher alcohol content than the 2010 Haut-Brion, shows less signs of overripeness on the backend than its First Growth stable-mate. It too is a very forcefully-styled and bruising young wine at the present time, and I have a hard time imagining its ultimate shape. Perhaps it will turn out as well as the 1975 La Mission, but it may also always be a wine that never fully pulls its currently disparate elements into a cohesive and compelling whole. There is a lot of sound in the fury currently in the glass, but not much enlightenment. (Drink between 2025-2075)

John Gilman | 83-92+ JG

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Left Bank
Appellation	Pessac-Leognan

Producer	Chateau La Mission Haut Brion : When wine connoisseurs consider the different vintages of Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, they recognize them as some of the greatest wines in the world. Many collectors and enthusiasts consider the estate the sixth, First Growth of Bordeaux. La Mission Haut-Brion is one of the jewels of the Domaine Clarence Dillon, as well as Pessac-Leognan. The history of La Mission Haut-Brion is one that has been linked to neighboring Chateau Haut-Brion throughout its existence. The estate came into being after it was purchased by Jean de Pontac in 1533. Pontac was also the owner of what later became Chateau Haut-Brion. Pontac was responsible for the birth of several of the best estates and vineyards in Bordeaux. La Mission Haut-Brion earned its fame and moniker, when Arnaut de Lestonnac and the sister of Jean de Pontac were married. The estate was inherited by Olive Lestonnac who bequeathed it to the Congregation of the Mission, which was finalized in 1664. The 10 hectare estate became the property of the Roman Catholic Church and was named Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. Interestingly, the wine produced was not reserved for the Clergy but was sold, which helped to cement the vineyard’s reputation among consumers in those early days of its existence. In 1698, a small chapel was built in the vineyards, known as Notre Dame de La Mission. The official chateau was constructed some years later in 1713. The estate remained in possession of the church until it was seized by the state, during the French Revolution. In 1815, La Mission would become the property of American owner, the Chiapelle family, who were already quite involved in the Bordeaux wine trade, owning and managing multiple estates including Chateau Cos d’Estournel in the Saint Estephe appellation. The family is famous for constructing the gates that guard the historic property today. The estate would continue to change hands until 1919 when it fell into possession of another American owner, the Woltner family. The Woltners completed major renovations to the property, including the removal of old fermentation vats, replacing them with more modern stainless steel tanks. They are also credited for the creation of La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc which debuted in 1927. Once again, La Mission would come full circle and become under the ownership of neighboring estate, Chateau Haut-Brion. Clarence Dillon rapidly re-modernized the chateau and winemaking facilities. His efforts to improve the property and winemaking were ever-continuing, leading to a new bottling line and extensive renovations in the Grand Chai (barrel storeroom). Today the vineyard spans 30.7 hectares which has 27 hectares planted for red wine grapes and 3.7 hectares designated to white wine grape varieties. The 27 hectares are planted to 45.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.8% Merlot and 10.4% Cabernet Franc, while the 3.7 hectares of vines for whites are planted to 61.7% Semillon and 38.3% Sauvignon Blanc. The varietals thrive in a terroir of deep gravel over clay, sand and chalk, with a subsoil of deep gravel, clay and sand. The vineyard is well placed on 2 ridges of gravel hills reaching up to 25 meters in elevation and have wonderful drainage. It is flanked by two streams, Ars and Peugue which help provide moisture in hot, dry vintages. Despite its proximity to Chateau Haut-Brion (across the road) the terroir is dissimilar, giving them distinctly different character and style. La Mission Haut-Brion produces between 6,000 and 7,000 cases annually and another 1,000 cases of La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. The wine needs at least 15-25 years for it to reveal its true potential and will reach peak maturity between 15-60 years after the vintage. The property produces an outstanding second wine, La Chapelle La Mission Haut-Brion, which debuted in 1991 and has proved to be of incredible quality, with a smaller price tag.

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