Chateau La Mission Haut Brion - Chateau La Mission Haut Brion blanc 2021

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "It takes no time at all to be reeled in here, starting with the nose. Crushed rocks, lemon verbena, flowers, pears, green apples, pears, and tangerine rind pack the perfume. As good as the nose is, the palate is equal to the task of keeping you focused with its 60-second plus blast of sweet, juicy, rich, creamy, fresh, vibrant, energetic waves of fruits. This is clearly in contention for one of the best vintages of La Mission Haut Brion Blanc ever produced! Made from a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon, picking took place September 3, finishing September 10. 14.1% ABV. Drink from 2023-2060."

VINUM: "Sehr komplexe, würzig-blumige Aromatik; von ausgesprochener Rasse und ewiger Länge, noch sehr verschlossen; ein Wein, der lange reifen darf."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Peach and waxed-lemon character here. Some fennel and aniseed, too. Very fresh. Medium to full body with a round, creamy palate. A little closed for now at the end. 55.2% semillon and 44.8% sauvignon."

DECANTER: "White chocolate, satsuma, lemon peel, peach and white flowers on the nose. So much intensity on the palate but in the purity of detail so you get the expansive flavour, succulent lemon and orange, zest grapefruit, crisp apple and delicate creamy patisserie elements all underpinned by a salinity and crushed stone texture. It's focused but so expansive as well, chiseled and detailed. A great combination where you get so much flavour in such delicate and defined packaging. Really very delicious and moreish."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is a powerful, medium to full-bodied beauty with straight racy acidity as well as beautiful notes of tart melon, chalky minerality, charcoal, and white flowers. I love its mid-palate depth and balance, but it's going to require bottle age. It will be very long-lived. The blend is 55.2% Semillon and 44.8% Sauvignon, aging in 53% new barrels."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Aromas of crisp orchard fruit, grapefruit oil, white flowers, pastry cream and freshly baked bread preface the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, ample and incisive wine that's satiny and chiseled, concluding with a long, mineral finish."

WEINWISSER: "55 % Sauvignon Blanc, 45 % Sémillon. Komplexes Bouquet mit getrockneter Kamillenblüte, Agrumen und Kiefernnadel. Am schlanken Gaumen mit reifem fein pfeffrigem Extrakt, stützende Rasse, fein balanciert. Im gebündelten Finale Limonenessenz, Pink-Grapefruit und edler Kreideton."

FALSTAFF: "Helles Goldgelb, Silberreflexe. Zart nach grünem Apfel und weißem Pfirsich, ein Hauch von Grapefruitzesten, etwas scheues Bukett. Mittlere Komplexität, grüne Apfelfrucht, sehr rassig und zitronig im Abgang, saliner Touch im Nachhall, wirkt leichtfüßig und finessenreich."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Composed of 55% Semillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion blanc requires a fair bit of swirling to reveal notes of grapefruit, lime zest, and yuzu, with hints of sea spray and lanolin plus a touch of coriander seed. Light to medium-bodied, the palate shimmers with energy and citrusy layers, supported by a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing long and chalky."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Brisk and precise but more restrained than the Haut-Brion. Long, linear and racy on the palate. Great persistence. Structured for the long haul so will need some patience. Drink 2026 – 2038."