The 2017 La Mission Haut Brion is a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Pessac Leognan region of Bordeaux, France. With a deep garnet-purple color, this wine exudes elegance and sophistication from the moment it is poured. It showcases a complex bouquet of crushed berries, sandalwood, stone, and cement, creating a sensory experience that is both intriguing and enticing.
On the palate, the La Mission Haut Brion is full-bodied and tightly structured, with excellent depth and intensity. It is a wine that demands patience, with its firm tannins and compact nature. However, there is a sense of energy and levity that lifts the wine, adding a touch of vibrancy to its austere character. This wine is truly a masterpiece in the making, destined to evolve and develop over time.
Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 97 points, describing it as "tight, solid" with "excellent depth and intensity." He recommends waiting until at least 2025 to fully appreciate its potential. Jeb Dunnuck also praises the La Mission Haut Brion, noting its round and opulent style on the palate. The wine exhibits classic notes of tobacco, incense, spiced currants, and chocolate, with silky tannins and a balanced mouthfeel.
Vinous, another respected publication, gives this wine a score of 96 points, calling it a "positively stunning wine." They highlight its striking freshness, nuance, and energy, with notes of rose petal, mint, blood orange, red cherry, pomegranate, and mocha. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate concurs, awarding this wine 96+ points and noting its fantastic intensity, mineral layers, and rock-solid tannins.
The La Mission Haut Brion 2017 is a wine of great potential and promise. It has already garnered critical acclaim and is sure to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world. With its rich structure, bold tannins, and generous blackberry flavors, it is a wine that will reward those who have the patience to let it mature. This is a wine to savor and enjoy over the years, as it continues to evolve and reveal its true magnificence.