| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
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 produces around 500 dozen bottles annually. There is more Sémillon planted here than Sauvignon Blanc (the opposite of Haut Brion Blanc).
The 2022 is 78% Semillon, 22% Sauvignon Blanc and the alcohol is at 14.3%. 42% new oak.
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc contains 72% Sémillon and was slightly acidified for the first time in many years. It has a more complex bouquet than the Haut-Brion Blanc when compared side by side: yellow plum, jasmine, beeswax and hints of lemon curd. This is very well defined. The palate is particularly well balanced with more weight and nuance than the Haut Brion Blanc. This is less spicy, yet there is more texture, with just a touch of lemongrass emerging toward the slightly viscous finish. Superb. To be frank, I find this has much more to offer than the Haut-Brion Blanc. 2030 - 2060
The 2022 Blanc from La Mission Haut-Brion is showing very well in the bottle and gains flesh and structure during its élevage. Revealing a lively, gourmand, vibrant bouquet of white fruits, pear, spices and spring flowers, it's full-bodied, round and generous with a fleshy core of fruit (attributed to the 72% of Sémillon in the blend), bright acids and subtle dry extracts framed by gastronomic bitterness, a result of the year's dry conditions. Although it presents a slightly austere profile at the moment, this wine is on its way to becoming a great bottle. 2032 - 2052
A sweet, polished nose of poached pear, pineapple and cream mimics the broad, succulent palate. This is a ripe, rounded La Mission with a streak of tangy acid cutting through the middle. Whiffs of baking spice add to the opulent fruit, which has polish and refinement. This will be an approachable white that will hit its drinking window early.
Very vivid for such a hot, dry year with grapefruit, sliced pears and hints of matchstick. Full-bodied but not heavy with pretty phenolics and a long and flavorful finish. The extract in this keeps the wine in motion, giving energy. 72% semillon and 28% sauvignon blanc. Give this three or four years of bottle age. Drink or hold.
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc aging in 41.9% new oak, prances out with showy notes of orange blossoms, ripe pears, and green apples, leading to hints of elderflower and wet slate. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with bright, expressive citrus and stone fruit layers, featuring loads of minerally sparks on the long finish.
This is an extremely impressive white that has high levels of Sémillon in the blend this year, helped by old vines that resisted the heat well. Gorgeous construction and balance, with precision-cut citrus, bitter almond, slate, dill, white pepper spice, a juicy grip through the palate and noble bitterness bringing things to a close. Less 1st wine than last year - 20% less first wine with the same yield; 41% new oak barrels for ageing. Harvest August 17 to 23.
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc contains much more Sémillon (72%) this year due to its quality according to Jean-Philippe Delmas. It has a perfumed bouquet with white peach, honeysuckle, red apple and light candle wax. Superb delineation. The palate is taut and linear, chalky in texture with good tension. It shows quite impressive weight, perhaps more than the Haut-Brion Blanc with a dab of ginger enlivening the finish. Superb. 2030-2060
Perhaps it's because of the drought-affected vintage, or it could be due to the fantastic terroir of La Mission Haut-Brion, but in any case, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is especially aromatically expressive, bursting with lively aromas of pear, linen, smoke, gunflint, lemon and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, crystalline and pure, it's tensile and seamless, with impressively vibrant acids and a saline finish.
So much oyster shell here with a chalk, stone character, as well as dried lemons and sliced white peaches and pears. It’s medium to full body with lovely fruit and a flavorful finish. Bitter lemon as well. 72% semillon and 28% sauvignon blanc.
