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2008 Mission Haut Brion, La Bordeaux Blend
Bordeaux Blend: 1500ml
points awarded:
JS 93 WA 95 WE 95 WS 90David Derby, JJ Buckley, April 2009
Remarkably dark color. Aroma of dried rose petal, dust, tobacco and granite. Big entry of rich, round tannin. Intensely concentrated and deep.
93 points,
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, December 2010
Fascinating aromas of crushed berry, plums, sweet tobacco and stones. Full bodied, with chewy and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is very structured and rich with a bright and tangy acidity. Needs time to come together, obviously. Try after 2015.
95 points,
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2012
Like a lot of wines in this underrated vintage, the 2008 La Mission was one of the great bargains of recent vintages. Its healthy blue/purple color is followed by aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, licorice, truffles, underbrush and forest floor. The scorched earthy/smoky character of this estate's terroir has not yet emerged. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated with good acidity, freshness and delineation, this is a big wine for the vintage, but also very classic in its balance of tannin, acidity and extract. It will benefit from another 5-7 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades. The final blend was 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc.
95 points,
Wine Enthusiast, April 2011
Dark and concentrated, this is a powerhouse of flavors and dense tannins. It's a wonderful combination of velvet texture and dry structure. Layered, complex, wood and spice already showing signs of integration, but certainly set for the long haul. - R.V.
90 points,
Wine Spectator, April 2011
Tangy and lightly firm, with cherry pit, pomegranate and blackberry notes, followed by sage and tobacco. There's nice focus, with a tarry hint for added length on the finish. Rather tight now, with the edgy feel holding sway, but this should settle into itself nicely enough. Best from 2013 through 2018.-J.M.

