The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion is a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Pessac Leognan region of Bordeaux, France. With a deep garnet-purple color, this wine exudes elegance and sophistication. Its image showcases the wine's impeccable clarity and depth of color, hinting at the complexity that lies within.
On the nose, this regal wine displays alluringly ripe and dark plums, accompanied by a wealth of complexity. Fine spices, leaves, graphite, and violets intermingle, creating a symphony of aromas that captivate the senses. Each sniff reveals a new layer, enticing the drinker to explore further.
The palate of this La Mission Haut-Brion vintage is a true testament to its exceptional quality. It possesses a very precise drive and a super focused style that sets it apart. The authoritative tannins are arranged in a linear fashion, showcasing power with elegance. This wine is a beautiful harmony of fruit, structure, and finesse.
Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 97 points. He recommends waiting until 2024 to fully appreciate its potential. Wine Enthusiast also bestowed a score of 96 points, emphasizing the wine's opulence and smoky, textured power. They advise waiting until 2026 before indulging in its pleasures.
Vinous awarded this La Mission Haut-Brion vintage a score of 97+ points, praising its primary red/purplish berry fruit and remarkable freshness. They suggest cellaring the wine for at least a decade before it fully blossoms. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 98+ points, describing it as exquisitely elegant with perfectly ripe, fine-grained tannins and a long, ferrous-laced finish.
Jeb Dunnuck was particularly enamored with the wine's purity and seamless nature, awarding it 98 points. He predicts that it will age just as long as its counterpart, Haut-Brion. Wine Spectator also awarded it 97 points, praising its super vivid flavors of cassis, blackberry, and raspberry, and its mouthwatering frame of anise and apple wood.
Decanter awarded this wine a stellar score of 98 points, lauding its precise nature, fine balance between richness and elegance, and silky soft tannins. Finally, Jeff Leve awarded it a near-perfect score of 99 points, marveling at its wall of perfectly ripe, dark, smoky, and earthy deep red fruits, held in check by refined tannins and velvety textures.
In conclusion, the 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion is a wine of exceptional quality and complexity. It showcases the best characteristics of the Pessac Leognan region and offers a drinking experience that is both powerful and graceful. This wine is a true gem that promises a very bright future.