| 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
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."
It is worth pointing out that La Mission always starts off about 30% cheaper than Haut Brion but, when mature, usually ends up at the same price, or more. In this vintage they are both magnificent. "Massive, yet balanced, with lots of mineral, mint, wet earth, berry and cherry character. Full-bodied, with loads of round, velvety tannins." WS.
(FV 17.5) (WS 95-100)
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)
A deep and opaque red.
Wonderfully intense and exotic nose with vanilla and all-spice. A complexity and opulence which is immediately reminiscent of great vintages such as the 1982 and 1989 but still youthful and 'tight'. Concentrated essence of blackcurrant and crème de cassis with smoky, spicy, roasted character.
Immediately sweet, rich, fat, generous and voluptuous on the palate. Plenty of warmth and glycerol but what impresses most are the multi-layers of complex flavours and the magnificent overall balance. This wine perfectly combines its lush, sexy, exotic opulence with classic, mineral quintessential Graves character. An example of 1998 at its very best. Soft with a beautiful, enduring, sweet finish. A great La Mission, exceedingly tempting already but set to get better and better yet.
