Château La Mission-Haut-Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2020 (750ml)
Price: $468.00
| Producer | Château La Mission-Haut-Brion |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Pessac-Leognan |
| Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 1006805 |
| Size | 750ml |
Wine Advocate: 100 Points
The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion is a brilliant effort that exhibits a level of balance and integration that are impressive in such a powerful young Bordeaux. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with burning embers pencil shavings violets and smoked black tea it's full-bodied deep and concentrated with a layered elegantly muscular profile its brooding core of fruit framed by a generous endowment of powdery tannin that tempers the ripeness of the vintage. Checking in at 14.7% alcohol it's nonetheless more classically styled than the more flamboyant 2019 vintage or even the slowly maturing 2010 which I re-tasted alongside for context.
Jeb Dunnuck: 99 Points
Lastly the Grand Vin 2020 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is cut from the same cloth as the La Chapelle only it brings more of everything. Black raspberries cassis ripe cherries sandalwood smoked tobacco and acacia flowers are just some of its nuances and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness a layered seamless sexy mouthfeel remarkable tannins and a great great finish. The level of purity finesse and elegance paired with incredible concentration is something to behold. Give bottles just 5-7 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following half a century. The blend is 48.6% Merlot 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc hitting a natural alcohol of 14.7%.
James Suckling: 99 Points
Perfectly ripe black and blue berries on the nose with blackcurrants too. Crushed fruit. Complex and perfect. Full and intense. You feel the intensity of the tannins yet it is not overpowering. They are in a sophisticated and elegant state. Muscular and formed finish. Gorgeous in every sense of the word. Strength with finesse. Drink after 2030.
The Wine Independent: 99 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color the 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion is a blend of 48.6% Merlot 43.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.2% Cabernet Franc with a pH of 3.85. After a swirl or two the nose blossoms with an alluring array of black cherries kirsch and blackcurrant jelly scents followed by hints of rose oil sandalwood tree bark and Indian spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely laden with muscular black fruits supported by firm rounded
Vinous: 98 Points
The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion has a detailed bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit black olive terracotta and a light wet clayey scent (I sometimes think of a potter's wheel.) It gains complexity in the glass and becomes increasingly refined. The palate is beautifully balanced and caters for the 14.7% alcohol with ease. Very fine tannins perfectly matched with the acidity beguiling in terms of its cohesive and velvety smooth finish that lingers long in the mouth. The greatest La Missions are the effortless ones and the 2020 is just that. Beautiful. - By Neal Martin on December 2022
Decanter: 95 Points
Dark chocolate bramble fruits some perfumed notes exotic spices liquorice cedar and clove but floral too. Supple and charming on the palate not so lively and openly expressive at this point a bit more knitted down quiet and calm but a lovely texture. Tannis are fine but just chalky giving the grip and width while the dark fruit has both a red and black tang to it just restricted a little by the oaky edges subtle as they are in terms of flavour it just narrows the expression a little. You can feel the concentration in the lingering flavour on the cheeks and again a touch of heat and wood spice on the finish. Good acidity with a lightness of touch despite the depth of flavour. Well worked with a long finish. (Drink between 2025-2045)
