Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2017

Composed of 56% Merlot, 4.4% Cabernet Franc and 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion is a little reticent on the nose to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of crushed blackcurrants, Black Forest cake and Morello cherries with suggestions of cigar box, pencil shavings, charcoal and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with loads of mineral layers and a rock-solid line of firm, grainy tannins, finishing very long and with great energy. At Château Haut-Brion and neighboring La Mission Haut-Brion, only about one hectare out of around 80 hectares of vineyards was damaged by frost in 2017. It seemed that in the areas where there was a little wind, there was no frost. Budbreak was on March 13—not so early for this warm little pocket of vineyards close to the city—but the evolution of the vines was certainly faster than usual for the rest of the spring. It was a very dry, warm spring with even flowering. At the end of June, there was some rain to quench the parched vines, then July was a little cooler, according to Jean-Philippe Delmas. By mid-September, after the whites had already come in, the rains became an issue. The Merlot was almost all in before the rain, but the Cabernet Franc was affected and not much was used this year. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested after the rains. Overall yields averaged out at a very respectable 49.6 hectoliters per hectare. While the reds are incredibly impressive at both properties in 2017, I have to confess that I was completely blown away by the caliber of the whites. WOW! Possessing at once electric intensity and yet bags of tightly wound layers just waiting to be expressed over many years of cellaring, this is a truly spectacular vintage for the dry whites at both estates. Drinking window: 2023 - 2057. Lisa Perrotti-Brown. March 2020

Très subtile ce bouquet qui se révèle lentement en laissant d’abord apparaître des notes de baies rouges, de grenadine mais également une touche de mûres, suivies d’épices telles que la cannelle. En bouche, le vin est friand et fruité. Le palais est imposant de finesse, de précision mais également d’ampleur. Les tannins sont soyeux, parfaitement intégrés et la structure confère une fraîcheur bienvenue. Ces deux éléments se révèlent surtout en fin de bouche et soulignent l’aptitude du vin à traverser le temps. 2024-2047. Décembre 2019.

The aromatics here are incredible, and there is the most gorgeous density of black brambly fruit on display. It's graceful but intense, and utterly delicious . It doesn't have the same intensity through the palate as the wonderful 2016, but it really does stand out in the vintage as being extremely good quality. It's going to take its time to come round, so settle in for the long haul. 51% of overall crop. 3.86pH. Drinking window: 2026 - 2042. Jane Anson. April 2018.

Couleur sombre, d'intensité normale et jeune. Nez très aromatique, fruité, frais, mêlant des nuances de chêne frais et de bois de pin. La décantation lui fait prendre une note plus suave rappelant la framboise. Cette suavité se retrouve en bouche dans une stimulation très délicate où tout caresse en fondant et laisse une très grande place à l'arôme. Cette sensation n'est pas sans rappeler la dégustation des grands Bourgogne rouges. Grande finale subtile et ravissante. A noter que la décantation lui donne un peu plus de présence en bouche, mais elle raffermit son tannin final. Si vous le possédez, n'hésitez pas à le goûter. Janvier 2022.

This rich, structured wine has bold tannins and generous blackberry flavors. It is firm, showing its dry, tannic side at the moment, hinting at the black fruits to come. It will be a very open, opulent wine as it matures. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss. January 2020.