Château La Mission Haut Brion Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2023
Despite good yields, production has been restricted here to 400 cases only. A little more Sauvignon than usual was used for the blend (65.3% with balance coming from Semillon) belying the fleshy rounded body and smooth texture of this wine. The Sauvignon character does play its part though, providing some edge and a herbal twist to what is a broad, generous Mission blanc, replete with gentle ripe notes of guava, pear and Mirabelle.
critic reviews
A blend of 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc and 34.7% Sémillon, the 2023 Blanc from La Mission Haut-Brion has turned out superbly in bottle, revealing aromas of white peach, pear, flowers, confit citrus and fresh herbs. Medium- to full-bodied, seamless and fleshy, it is concentrated yet precise, built around a vibrant core of fruit and a beautifully controlled sense of power, concluding with a long, mineral and perfumed finish. Gaining both freshness and depth during élevage, this is one of the most vibrant and racy renditions of Mission Blanc in recent years.
The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a more reserved bouquet compared to the Haut-Brion Blanc, those slate-like scents in situ, Granny Smith and light honeysuckle aromas coming through with time. The palate is very well balanced, lovely poise and focus, just a modicum of spice with a sense of coiled-up energy on the finish. I feel that this is a wine that, as usual, would give something special down the line.
A blend of 65.3% Sauvignon Blanc and 34.7% Semillon, the white La Mission Haut-Brion 2023 has a pH of 3.2. It races out with ready-to-go notes of fresh grapefruit, lime blossoms, and fresh pineapple giving way to wafts of fragrant mandarin peel, beeswax, and wet pebbles. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and elegantly styled, with beautiful tension and a mineral-laced finish.
Zesty, focused, bright and vivid, white flowers, gorgeous texture and aromatics, pulls you forward through the palate, structured and with great ageing ability. Delicious vintage of this wine. 40% new oak. Harvest from August 21 through to September 5 for the 2.5ha of white wines. A test with shade cloths to mitigate heat spikes is underway at the estate, will be fascinating to watch the progress.