The 2020 La Mission Haut Brion is a stunning Bordeaux blend that showcases the epitome of balance and integration. With its powerful yet elegant profile, this red wine is a true testament to the excellence of the Pessac Leognan region in Bordeaux, France.
In the glass, the wine reveals a deep, dark color that hints at its intensity. On the nose, it offers a captivating bouquet of dark berries, plums, burning embers, pencil shavings, violets, and smoked black tea. These aromas intertwine effortlessly, creating a complex and alluring olfactory experience.
On the palate, the La Mission Haut Brion 2020 truly shines. It is full-bodied and concentrated, with a layered and muscular structure. The brooding core of fruit is framed by a generous endowment of powdery tannins that perfectly temper the ripeness of the vintage. Despite its 14.7% alcohol content, this wine maintains a classic style, reminiscent of older vintages like the 2010.
Renowned wine critic William Kelley, writing for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, awarded this wine a perfect score of 100 points. He praises its impressive balance and integration, as well as its deep concentration and elegantly muscular profile. Kelley notes the wine's potential for long-term aging, suggesting that it will evolve beautifully over the next 3-4 decades.
Other esteemed critics have also lauded the 2020 La Mission Haut Brion. Decanter awarded it a score of 95 points, describing its supple and charming palate, its fine tannins, and its depth of flavor. James Suckling awarded it 98 points, highlighting its blackberry and iodine notes, full-bodied richness, and classic blend. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 99 points, praising its remarkable tannins, purity, finesse, and elegance. These accolades further solidify this wine's status as a true gem in the world of Bordeaux.
Overall, the 2020 La Mission Haut Brion is a wine that exudes power, complexity, and finesse. Its exceptional balance, concentration, and integration make it a truly remarkable Bordeaux blend that will undoubtedly captivate wine enthusiasts for years to come.