Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion is definitely bewitching. It possesses a great intensity that delights with complex red fruits and and the signature of its terroir showing notes of Havana cigars, chocolate, and roasted cedarwood. On the palate, the wine is spherical and generous with a long, silky finish.

The 2020 La Mission Haut Brion is a Bordeaux blend from the esteemed La Mission Haut Brion winery in the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This vintage has garnered significant attention from wine critics, boasting high scores across the board.

William Kelley of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded it a perfect score of 100, describing it as a “brilliant effort” with “dark berries and plums mingled with burning embers, pencil shavings, violets, and smoked black tea.” Kelley highlights its “layered, elegantly muscular profile” and the “brooding core of fruit framed by a generous endowment of powdery tannin.” He notes the wine’s 14.7% alcohol content and praises it for being “more classically styled” than previous vintages.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com scored the wine at 99 points, emphasizing its “profile of Cuban cigars, black currants, camphor, spice, tar, and smoke.” He describes it as “full-bodied, powerful, long and rich,” and suggests it demands 12-15 years of aging to fully evolve. Leve also notes that the wine consists of 48.6% Merlot, 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8.2% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb Dunnuck, who also rated the wine at 99 points, commends its “black raspberries, cassis, ripe cherries, sandalwood, smoked tobacco, and acacia flowers.” He describes it as having “full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless, sexy mouthfeel, remarkable tannins, and a great finish.” Dunnuck advises giving the wine 5-7 years in the cellar and expects it to evolve over the next half-century.

James Suckling gave it 98 points, noting the wine “really builds on the palate” with “loads of blackberry and iodine with asphalt undertones.” He describes it as “full-bodied with tannins that steamroll at the end and keep going,” and calls it a “classic blend.”

Vinous’ Neal Martin also rated it at 98 points, praising its “detailed bouquet” and “beautifully balanced” palate with “very fine tannins” and a “velvety smooth finish.” He remarks on its “effortless” quality and increasing refinement in the glass.

Other notable reviews include Decanter’s 95 points, Wine Enthusiast’s 97 points, and Jane Anson’s 98 points, all of which highlight the wine’s complexity, balance, and potential for aging.

Overall, the 2020 La Mission Haut Brion is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux blend, celebrated for its depth, balance, and aging potential.