The 2017 La Mission Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend from the Pessac-Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by La Mission Haut Brion, consists of 56% Merlot, 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4.4% Cabernet Franc. It has an alcohol content of 14.0% and is sealed with a cork closure.
James Suckling awarded this wine a high score of 97, describing it as "a tight, solid red with crushed-berry, sandalwood, stone and cement flavors." He noted its full-bodied nature and impressive depth, stating, "Closed and austere, but there’s both energy and levity to it at the same time." Suckling suggests trying this wine after 2025.
Jeb Dunnuck, who gave it a score of 94, noted its vivid ruby color and "beautifully round, textured, opulent style." His tasting notes included "unsmoked tobacco, incense, spiced currants, and chocolate," and he praised its "silky tannins" and "balanced mouthfeel."
Antonio Galloni of Vinous also rated the wine highly at 96, calling it "a positively stunning wine" with "striking freshness, nuance and energy." He highlighted its floral notes, including rose petal and mint, along with red fruits and mocha. Galloni summed it up as "effortless, gracious and wonderfully nuanced."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate mirrored this sentiment with a 96+ score, describing the wine as "a little reticent on the nose to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of crushed blackcurrants, Black Forest cake and Morello cherries." The review emphasized the wine's "fantastic intensity" and "rock-solid line of firm, grainy tannins."
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss rated it 95, noting its "rich, structured" profile with "bold tannins and generous blackberry flavors." Voss predicted that it will become "a very open, opulent wine as it matures," recommending drinking it from 2024.
Decanter also gave it a 96, praising the "incredible aromatics" and "gorgeous density of black brambly fruit." They noted that while it may not have the same intensity as the 2016 vintage, it stands out for its quality and longevity.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com rated it 96, highlighting its "subterranean ruby color" and complex aromas of "lilies and night blooming Jasmine, black plum, cassis, a puff of smoke and a stroke of oak." He described it as "full-bodied and energetic" with "freshness, ripeness, assertive tannins and a succulent black currant hit in the finish."
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown also rated it 96, noting its deep garnet color and initial hints of "cinnamon stick and clove oil" that evolve into "baked plums, kirsch, and cassis." She praised its "very plush, rounded tannins and fantastic tension."
Overall, the 2017 La Mission Haut Brion is a highly acclaimed wine with consistent praise for its complexity, depth, and aging potential.