Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2016
The Mission was the superstar of the Clarence Dillon range. Produced from 57.5% Merlot and 42.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this has it all. A fabulous Cabernet perfume of violets, crème de cassis, cool menthol, incense, cooked meats, sandalwood and minerals. On the palate there are waves of noble flavours: cool plum, shaved Valrhona and fresh coffee bean. This is opulent yet taut, wonderfully balanced and complete, a seamless and refined Mission with so much power; it goes on and on with a haunting, salty, fine grained, complex finish. A magnificent Mission!
critic reviews
The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion showed better here at Bordeaux Index's tasting than a couple of weeks later at the Southwold tasting. It has a more extrovert bouquet compared to the Haut-Brion: a mixture of red and black fruit, sage and black truffle, a light marine influence that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins. There is slightly more backbone and grip than the First Growth, wonderful sapidity on the harmonious finish that lingers in the mouth. Brilliant. Tasted at the 10-Year-On tasting at Bordeaux Index.
Love the balance and elegance, this is a superb La Mission, with length, fine but plentiful tannins, with baking spices, leather, rose bud, white truffle, lace-like tannins. Has lift and grace but also a ton of depth, heading into its drinking window and ready to wow anyone lucky enough to own it. 100% new French oak for ageing.