Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by La Mission Haut Brion
While La Mission Haut-Brion’s 2004 is not one of this estate’s top successes, it is an outstanding wine, no doubt because of this extraordinary terroir. Deep ruby/purple with notes of lead pencil shavings intermixed with black cherries, cassis, and a hint of scorched earth, medium body, sweet tannin, and a good, but uninspiring finish, this attractive, mid-weight La Mission should age nicely for 15 or more years
Intense aromas of plums, blackberries and light earth. Foresty. Full-bodied, with good tannins and a fresh, clean finish. Silky, with good length
Mellifluous and round and fresh and lively. Dry finish and really revitalising. Drink 2013-2025. Date tasted 24th Dec 08.
Another Merlot-dominated blend from Domaine Clarence Dillon, though this time with 42% Cabenet Sauvignon and 3% Carbernet Franc. The nose is candied, plummy and chocolatey. The palate is very alluring and attractive, with dense, stony, minerally fruit character, almost imperceptibly applied oak, svelte, seamless tannins, providnig good structure, and fresh acidity. It's quite a forward style, although still serious as shown by quite a tight finish. Overall it's both very appealing, almost juicy and sweet, but also very complex and stylish. 2010-2025
The deep ruby/purple color of the 2004 La Mission Haut-Brion is accompanied by meaty scents interwoven with hints of wet gravel, smoke, black raspberries, and cassis. This elegant, streamlined effort possesses crisp acidity and medium body. It should be approachable in 2-4 years, and last for 12-15.
This is the first vintage under the full control of Jean-Philippe Delmas, who succeeded his father, Jean-Bernard, who produced all the La Missions between 1983 and 2003 (Jean-Bernard succeeded his father, who produced every vintage of Haut-Brion in the twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties). A blend of 55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as a big nose of damp earth, cedar, smoke, tobacco, black currants, and cherries. There is excellent sweetness, medium to full body, serious muscle, elegance, and finesse in this fine La Mission. It should be at its best between 2008 and 2020+.
Medium intensity. Very well integrated, neat nose without massive intensity but attractive inky dryness. Super fresh acidity but not aggressive and lovely supple tannins. There's not the weight of the 2005 on the palate but there is lovely balance. Really fragrant and fresh.
[M 55%, CS 42%, CF 3%] Deep with purple notes. Muted on the nose. Then very sumptuous on the palate. Mouthfilling fruit with very fine tannins on the finish. Like Ch La Tour Haut-Brion, discreet and low key. Fine. Acidity not especially high. Low key black fruits. Neat rather than long.