| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A candidate for the wine of the vintage from this somewhat forgotten year, consumers should be seeking out wines from the Right Bank and Graves as 1998 was a great vintage in those appellations. La Mission's 1998 exhibits a healthy, opaque blue/purple color with no lightening at the edge. Thirty minutes of aeration brings forth a sensational bouquet of chocolate, cedar, truffles, graphite, blackberries, cassis and incense. La Mission's so-called scorched earth/charcoal/hot rocks characteristic has not yet appeared. Full-bodied with superb purity, a multilayered texture, sweet tannin, good acidity and a fabulously long finish, this great, young La Mission-Haut-Brion's finest days are yet to come. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.
A limpid garnet core with ruby rim. The nose here is gregarious, ebullient, almost exotic in style with ripe blackberries, black cherries and a hint of black olives. This a glorious bouquet that soars from the glass but after five minutes it has clammed up a little and needs rigorous swirling to revivify. The palate is full-bodied with firm, ripe tannins. It still has the hubris and exoticism that it displayed in its youth but it is more tempered with a decade ageing. Notes of black cherries, bilberry and a touch of black olives towards the finish. Vibrant and intoxicating. Needs more time though. Drink 2012-2040+. Tasted May 2008.
The 1998 La Mission Haut-Brion is deep garnet-brick colored with a pretty perfume of potpourri, spice box, menthol, sandalwood, tobacco and new leather. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant with tons of fragrant layers, finishing with loads of mineral and tons of energy. Drink up to 2030.
1998 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan: This is really classic in style with incredible depth and power. Muscular and amazing, it is full-bodied yet tight and agile. So complex. Shows iodine, oyster, stone and mint aromas and flavors. It's rich and flavorful and at the same time fresh and racy. A modern classic. Drink or hold. Decant this one or two hours in advance. 99 points.
Delmas said he made the 1998 La Mission wine with his father, Jean, who was a legend for three decades in Bordeaux. "We made two truly great wines together, 1998 and 2000," said Jean Philippe. "I think 1998 is our best ever together."
A stupendous effort, the 1998 La Mission-Haut-Brion has put on considerable weight. The high tannin level has become fully integrated with the rich, concentrated structure and style of this effort. This dense opaque purple-coloured, powerful, tannic, muscular La Mission demands 7-8 years of cellaring. The wine exhibits plenty of minieral, spice box, and black fruit characteristics in its earthy, classic, Graves-like bouquet, admirable length, an intense mid-palate, and a powerful, concentrated finish. This is the finest La Mission since 1989 and 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025.
superior to the legendary 2000..a bold wine with intense hot stone, berry and raspberry aromas that follow through to the palate with firm yet velvety tannins and a long finish. 96 points (non-blind tasting)
