La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion, Pessac Léognan,

Confident tannic frame that holds the damson and charred black cherry and pomegranate fruit in place, along with spiced turmeric and smoked earth. Things widen out through the mid palate, and the texture becomes appealingly velvety. Full of joy. Harvest September 7th to 29.

The 2020 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 55.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44.7% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out with boisterous scents of black cherry compote, stewed black and red plums, and blueberry pie, followed by suggestions of vanilla pod, dark chocolate, and clove oil with a touch of cedar. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam packed with ripe, seductive black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.

The 2020 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion offers plenty of ripe brambly red fruit on the nose: cranberry and wild strawberry, hints of blue fruit in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, rounded tannins that lend a very smooth texture and approachability. Red fruit merge into blacker fruit towards the second half that displays fine sapidity and quite a persistent finish. There is something sedate about this La Chapelle, comfortable in its own skin.