Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2009

Introduction

A bewitching wine, from beginning to end of the end of the tasting experience! The colour is very deep and the nose is intense, with plenty of character. This rich and utterly delicious wine spreads out beautifully on the palate. The tannin is smooth and sweet. 2009 La Mission Haut-Brion inevitably reminds tasters of one of the estate’s finest successes: the 2000 vintage. The concentration, class, and balance between power and freshness are the hallmarks of both 2000 and 2009. However, 2009 has greater concentration, as well as another dimension and even stronger sensations.

2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion is already mythical. Blend: 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc.

100 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2009 La Mission Haut-Brion stood out as one of the most exceptional young wines I had ever tasted from barrel, and its greatness has been confirmed in the bottle. A remarkable effort from the Dillon family, this is another large-scaled La Mission that tips the scales at 15% alcohol. A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (47% of each) and the rest Cabernet Franc, it exhibits an opaque purple colour as well as a magnificent bouquet of truffles, scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, subtle smoke and spring flowers. The wine-s remarkable concentration offers up an unctuous/viscous texture, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, sweet, sumptuous, nearly over-the-top flavours and massive density. Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime La Mission Haut-Brion, the 2009 will take its place alongside the many great wines made here since the early 1920s. It should last for 50-75+ years.