| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2007 La Mission Haut Brion, a candidate for wine of the vintage, exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue along with notes of melted licorice, blueberries, cassis, burning embers, and charcoal, sweet tannin, medium to full body, a fleshy mouthfeel, and an endearing succulence as well as lushness. Already appealing, it should continue to evolve and drink well for 15+ years. It is a great success for the vintage. Drink 2010-2025.
The 2007 La Mission Haut Brion should be considered as one of the wines of the vintage, perhaps even outclassing the gaff across the road! It has an ebullient bouquet with vivid dark berry, cold, warm gravel and undergrowth scents that are very complex and beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, crisp acidity and a very precise structure, with superb tension on the finish. If you are seeking a 2007 Bordeaux, then this would undoubtedly be one of my picks. Tasted February 2017.
Drink Date 2018 - 2040
Violet and berry, with lovely, flowery undertones. Medium-to-full body, fine tannins, a good core of ripe fruit and a medium finish. 43 percent Merlot, 48 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 9 percent Cabernet Franc. Normally there is close to 70 percent Merlot.
Only 43% Merlot this year, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc. Much less nose and more acidity than the Chapelle. Lots of acidity on the palate, sure enough, and quite tight and lean on the palate. This doesn’t seem a vintage that suits the austere character of La Mission especially well. A bit hollow, and light on the finish. Drink 2012-18
Good full red-ruby. Complex aromas of black raspberry, mocha, smoke, licorice, minerals and flint, plus a whiff of caramel. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, with lovely cut and intensity. Leaner than Haut-Brion today, but this is essentially a supple wine, despite some evident minerality and the fact that the cabernet sauvignon component here actually had a slightly higher pH than the merlot. Finishes with rather fine tannins. This is actually a hair higher in acidity and lower in pH than the Haut-Brion 2007.
Sweet cassis is very much in evidence on the nose given a lovely fragrance by the perfume of wild violets. Very sweet fruited, the palate feels supple and fleshy but there is structure, firm but ripe tannins and a lovely acidity. The finish is fine, long and flowing.
Mid ruby-purple colour. Nose smoky, oaky. Palate has very silky fruit, good depth, spice and freshness. Deep, dark, cherry fruit, cedar spice. Very long, spicy, mineral finish. Finishes light, fresh and easy. Drink 2013-23. 4 stars.
No tasting note given.
Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. The La Mission Haut-Brion 2007 has very good fruit intensity on the nose: well defined, graphite, cedar and ebullient black fruits. There is immense breeding here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a touch of austerity, very composed and refined with an elegant, graphite tinged finish with a touch of cracked pepper on the aftertaste. This is a sophisticated La Mission that in blind conditions just pips Haut-Brion. Re-tasted at the chateau the following September with consistent notes. Tasted September 2011.
A blend of 43% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc. A deep garnet core – very clear. The nose is very polished with a certain degree of opulence about it this year. Blackberries, bilberries, liqueur de cassis. Good definition. This really changes in the glass after 15 minutes – much more of the crème de cassis. Just a gorgeous palate – that opulent theme running through but with a certain symmetry reminiscent of the 2005 (yes it is almost that good...but not quite!). Svelte, silky smooth and harmonious but clam up towards the tannic, savoury-tinged finish. There is a seamlessness to this La Mission - a great success in context. Tasted April 2008.
