Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2014
The 2014 La Mission Haut Brion is produced from 54% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. We are huge fans of La Mission - it is normally on a par with neighbour Haut Brion in terms of quality and the same is true this year. Stylistically it is currently displaying a purer, more Cabernet fruit style than the more mineral Haut Brion, but whichever wine you pick, they are both sensational. Initially brooding, however after aeration, beautifully delineated flavours of crème de cassis, crushed stones, sweet plums, blueberries, sandalwood and noble wood spice notes emerge. This is true La Mission with underlying gravel notes from start to finish. The palate is awash with gorgeous black fruit; firm and precise but not too strict - there is still a generosity to the cassis and graphite ladened fruit. This is very serious and long with a lithe, agile style.
critic reviews
The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion offers bright and vivid scents that immediately captivate the olfactory scenes: black fruit, cedar, pencil box and light, minty aromas. It's much better than its First Growth neighbor. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, very harmonious, and has lovely depth with a gentle grip. This is a sophisticated and entrancing 2014, one of my favorites in Bordeaux. Highly recommended. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion needs a swirl or two to unlock notes of blackberry pie, creme de cassis, and espresso plus nuances of truffle, tapenade, and fragrant soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, with spicy accents to the black fruit flavors, finishing long and decadent.
This is a briliant vintage for both wines of the Haut-Brion stable at the time, I remember them standing out during En Primeur, and wow this is still delivering, right up there at the top of the lineup. Fleshy and finessed, measured, gourmet, grilled raspberry and red cherry, edges of sweeter damson, even creme de cassis, with tobacco, slate, saffran and turmeric adding layers to sink into. Great length and is full of fragrance. Knockout. Jean-Philippe Delmas estate director, Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director.