Tasting Note:
Yet another stunning La Mission Haut Brion. The sister estate to Haut Brion benefits from the same wonderful, warm suburban microclimate and the same exceptional terroir. La Mission is frequently more flattering and seductive at this stage; Haut Brion is not always easy to assess whilst young, but the class of the vineyards always shows through eventually. The 2009 La Mission is a deep, brooding, exceptional wine that rivals other modern day greats such as 2000 and 2005. There are lovely high toned notes of griotte cherries, crushed stones, cut flowers and brooding aromas of molten graphite. There is real concentration and power here with a precise and intense attack of seamless, pure fruit. Wave after wave of luxurious, decadent cool berry fruit washes over the palate. There is terrific length of flavour, beautifully forged tannins and a powerful, finesse filled finish. Exquisite. 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Cabernet France.
"A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2009 La Mission-Haut-Brion stood out as one of the most exceptional young wines I had ever tasted from barrel, and its greatness has been confirmed in the bottle. A remarkable effort from the Dillon family, this is another large-scaled La Mission that tips the scales at 15% alcohol. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (47% of each) and the rest Cabernet Franc, it exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a magnificent bouquet of truffles, scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, subtle smoke and spring flowers. The wine-s remarkable concentration offers up an unctuous/viscous texture, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, sweet, sumptuous, nearly over-the-top flavors and massive density. Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime La Mission-Haut-Brion, the 2009 will take its place alongside the many great wines made here since the early 1920s. The good news is that there are nearly 6,000 cases of the 2009. It should last for 50-75+ years. Given the wine-s unctuosity and sweetness of the tannin, I would have no problem drinking it in about 5-6 years." 100/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #199