2005 Mission Haut Brion, La Bordeaux Blend
Reviews of 2005 Mission Haut Brion, La Bordeaux Blend
Alex Lallos, JJ Buckley
April 2006
69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Purple with blue hues on the rim. Fresh red fruit and mint on the nose. Fruit comes up over tannic notes of oak and leather. Some white pepper and sweet spice with hints of tar. Huge juicy tannins on palate. Bright red raspberry.
97 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
April 2008
There are slightly more than 5,000 cases of the 2005 La Mission-Haut-Brion, a blend of 69% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a touch of Cabernet Franc. While there is little difference between La Mission and Haut-Brion’s terroirs (their vineyards are only separated by a two-lane road), La Mission possesses more fat, texture, and intensity. An enormously endowed wine with huge tannin and structure, the 2005 offers a quintessential Graves bouquet of burning embers, charcoal, blackberries, truffles, black currants, and a meaty character. Reminiscent of the 1989, with more structure as well as a longer window of drinkability, the 2005 may be a modern day, improved version of a vintage such as 1955, which was well-endowed, very tannic, and took a long time to come around. While fabulously full-bodied and unctuous, the 2005 will not provide much charm in its youth. It needs 8-10 years of cellaring, and should age effortlessly for 30-40 years.
97 points, Wine Spectator
March 2008
The Indian spices and blackberry on the nose are so enticing and inspiring, leading to a full-bodied palate, with very polished tannins that caress. Goes on and on as this builds on the palate, with a mineral and berry aftertaste. For long-term aging. Best after 2015. 5,665 cases made. –JS
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Rick G.
December 2009
 One of the highlights of the Barrell Tastings in 2006, the entire Domaine Dillon was stellar. This is a monumental wine; a cornerstone of any serious cellar. I buy to enjoy and this is one of the most reliable purchases you can make. $399.00 per bottle at Bordeaux Specialist, www.mndfinewine.com |
About 2005 Mission Haut Brion, La Bordeaux Blend
About the Winery Mission Haut Brion, La
" In 1983 the Dillon family bought La Mission Haut-Brion from the heirs of the Woltner family. It became a part of Domaine Clarence Dillon under the aegis of Joan Dillon, Duchesse de Mouchy.
In 1955, Seymour and Thérèse Weller were friends of their neighbors, the Woltner family. They brought their young cousin, Joan Dillon, to meet them. Thus occured the first contact with La Mission Haut-Brion of the future Duchesse de Mouchy, now P.D.G. of the vineyard.
When the sale of La Mission Haut-Brion became known, one of the first bids came from Château Haut-Brion. Already parcels of lands from the two properties intermingled. A good portion of Haut-Brion vines ran alongside those of La Mission. There were various other candidates but none so persistent as their neighbor from across the road. In 1993 their offer was accepted and the sale went through...renovation of the old chais. Simultaneously a new chai was built with modern vats and up to date equipment. In 1996 a new bottling system was installed and a tasting room was set up in what was a former meditation corner for the monks."
haut-brion.com/home/en/langflash-en.php
About the Wine
"When the wine is young, the initial sensation is its unctuousness, the softness of a very ripe grape, the freshness of aromas and at the same time the texture of very special tanins. These meld with a trace of mineral in the wine. It is as if the land was in the glass, comprising notes of roasted coffee beans, cocoa and tobacco. This delicate bitterness is somewhat reminiscent of crystallized cherry-stones seeped in spirit...The last year of the millennium will be remembered for several extraordinary meteorological events. First came the eclipse of the sun on August 11th. The second phenomena consisted of two extremely violent storms that struck the Sud-Ouest. One came on August 7th and was severe but short lived and the second struck on December 27th with an unprecedented violence. It lasted from sundown until the wee hours of the morning with the hiatus being between 8PM to 10PM. It wreaked havoc on the entire region...Ultimately, 1999 was a relatively hot year and 2% warmer than the mean temperatures recorded during the past forty years. This is a considerable difference. For the most part the year will go down as one with brutal climactic events...July was dry with the exception of three days of violent storms. In a few hours the rainfall surpassed 35% of the usual July precipitation. The rain continued at the beginning of August but the weather changed abruptly at the time of the eclipse on August 11th. For one month not a drop fell. September 20th suddenly torrential rain returned spilling 79 millimetres in one day, a quota that entailed 125% of the usual rainfall for the entire month of September...
A prerequisite of a great wine is to be good at all times. La Mission Haut-Brion 1999 is an example of this. The deep ruby red color remains young and lively. The ever so typical aromas of the wine invade the nose and the mouth. Scents of burnt wood, toasted bread, and a light whiff of leather lead up to an awareness of an odor of cocoa powder bursting in at the finish. The volume in the mouth is balanced and harmonious. The finale is soft and long evolving towards a great complexity. It is a great wine in a classic year..."
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