Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Pessac-Léognan 2009
Château La Mission Haut-Brion is one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wine estates in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. It is one of my favorite Bordeaux wines, along with Château Haut-Brion.
Founded in the sixteenth century, the estate has a long wine-growing history. It was named after the Lazarist missionaries who lived there in the seventeenth century.
Since 1983, the estate has belonged to the Dillon family, which also owns the neighboring Château Haut-Brion.
While both properties share similarities in terroir and wine style, Haut-Brion is often described as masculine (rich, powerful, layered, and structured), while La Mission is regarded as feminine (elegant, refined, complex, and textured).
The vineyard covers about 29.2 hectares and is located on the road to Pessac in the southwestern suburb of Bordeaux.
Although surrounded by busy roads and residential areas, it still benefits from an exceptional terroir marked by gravelly soils and a favorable microclimate that enhances the unique quality of its wines.
La Mission Haut-Brion produces both red and white wines. The vineyard spans 25.44 hectares planted with red grapes (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot Noir, 11% Cabernet Franc) and 3.74 hectares of white grapes (63% Sémillon, 37% Sauvignon).
While its whites have gained some notoriety, Château La Mission Haut-Brion is celebrated for its exceptional red wine, often compared to the Premiers Grands Crus Classés of the Médoc. The estate also produces a second wine, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion.
The wines of La Mission Haut-Brion delight wine lovers and collectors. They are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and ageing potential.
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Leognan 2009
In my 33 years as a Sommelier and Wine Buyer, I have been lucky enough to open countless bottles of La Mission Haut-Brion (and probably even more Haut-Brion) and have rarely been disappointed. In fact, this vintage, 2009, once again, exceeded my expectations.
Beyond its dark color, right at opening, it offers attractive aromas of ripe dark berries and fruits mingling earthy, smoky, and floral notes. The palate is ripe, dense, ample, rich, complex, layered, yet suave, refined, and elegant. It is finely textured and structured, generously expanding from the attack and coating through the mid-palate to the seamless finish. It is a magnificent wine!
Cheers! Santé!
Dom
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