The 2016 La Mission Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend from the Pessac Leognan sub-region, produced by La Mission Haut Brion. This wine stands out with its deep garnet-purple color and blend of 57.5% Merlot and 42.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering a balanced and elegant experience.
Esteemed reviewer Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive 98+, noting its medium-bodied elegance with "layer upon layer of perfumed fruit" and a "very long, ferrous-laced finish." Jeb Dunnuck mirrored this sentiment with a 98 score, highlighting its "flawless texture" and "ultra-fine tannins," describing it as "sexy" and "charming."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the highest praise with a score of 99, describing it as a "massive wall of fruit, rocks, stone, tannin, and scorched earth" that will reward those who have the patience to wait for its full potential to unfold. The Wine Independent also rated it 99, calling it an "atomic wine" with a "firework display of spices and minerals."
Other notable reviews include a 97 from James Suckling, who praised its "regal" nature and "authoritative tannins," while Wine Spectator's 97 score lauded its "super vivid" flavors that are "borderline rambunctious." Wine Enthusiast and Decanter both awarded it 96 points, appreciating its opulent and structured character.
This wine is designed for long-term aging, with most reviewers suggesting not to drink it before the mid-2020s to allow its complex profile to fully develop. With its remarkable structure and potential for aging, the 2016 La Mission Haut Brion promises to be a stellar addition to any wine collection.
