| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc does not quite possess the same clinical delineation of some of the best dry whites in the flight. But it seems to address that with aeration and offers some lovely lemon rind, grapefruit and chalk scents. The palate is well balanced, underpinned by a fine line of acidity, quite brisk and taut with a persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2020 - 2040
So much lemon, pineapple and green-papaya aromas here. Stones and salt block, too. Full-bodied, dense and layered with a creamy and layered mouthfeel. Powerful and agile at the same time. Exceptional. Rivals the 100-point 2011 La Mission. Drink if you can find it!
The rare dry white wine from La Mission Haut Brion is made by the same team as Haut Brion Blanc. It used to be known as Laville Haut Brion but changed its name in 2009. The 2.5 hectare vineyard will produce 550 cases in 2014. 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale lemon colour. Very ripe on the nose with juicy peaches, pinapple, zesty lime and creamy sweet vanilla. The palate is rich and very intense with a dense core of ripe fruits. Peaches and cream, pinapples and lots of sweet spice are all layered together in this complex, wonderfully textured wine. Mineral on the lifted finish thanks to a line of clean, refreshing acidity that gives the wine its balance. Superb.
The 2014 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc is a Sémillon dominated cuvee in 2014 and incorporates 28% Sauvignon Blanc, all brought up in barrel. It offers a rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied style, as well as a sensational sense of minerality and rockiness on both the nose and palate. Meyer lemons, green herbs, citrus, wood smoke, and mint are just some of the nuances here, and this beauty is perfectly balanced and layered, with integrated acidity and great finish. 2018 - 2038
An intriguing flash of mint gives way quickly to white peach, tangerine, dried pineapple and singed macadamia nut notes. Rich, but a bitter orange hint streaks through the finish, imparting terrific cut. Still youthfully raw, but there's more than enough energy and depth here for aging. Best from 2022 through 2032. 625 cases made.
Rich fruit ripe fruit the nose has depth of flavour but the start of the palate has lime apple freshness lovely and bright. Richer on the mid palate peachy tropical fruits all nicely balanced by the citrus that comes through on the back palate. 2017-26
The high percentage of Semillon is very apparent on the nose and palate of this remarkable dry white: herbal, toasty, waxy weight is underpinned by tangy acidity, fine vanilla spice and a taut, focused, mineral core. Long, stylish and pure. The only drawback is the quantity: 560 cases.
The 2014 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc has a surprisingly strict bouquet that needed coaxing from the glass, eventually offering scents of Cornice pear, jasmine and honeysuckle. This is very subtle and clearly will need a few years in bottle, just like Laville Haut Brion demanded. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, a cheeky pinch of lemongrass enlivening the senses on the entry, quite a feral La Mission Haut Brion Blanc with the Sémillon fully in control on the lightly honeyed, spicy finish. It is a great La Mission Haut Brion, although I remain convinced that the 2014 Haut Brion Blanc has the class this year. Drink Date 2019-2040
The Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2014 is a blend of 28% Sauvignon Blanc and 72% Sémillon. It has a well-defined bouquet with lime flower and fresh pear scents that gain intensity in the glass, though never quite achieves the ethereal heights of the "gaff across the road". The palate is fresh with again a keen, fresh line of acidity than Jean-Philippe Delmas remarked is broadly in line with 2011. This is very tense at the moment, sharp and edgy, you could almost say “electric” on the finish that will stand it in good stead by the time of bottling.
This is a big and powerful white with so much richness and excitement. It's almost New World in character. Full-bodied, layered and juicy. Characters of dried pineapples, apples, apricots, lemons and then a touch of stones.
