Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2019

An intense and velvety Graves Grand Cru Classé

The estate
A neighbour of the illustrious Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion has served for centuries as one of the most iconic references of Bordeaux. Founded in the 16th century by the Lestonnac family, the property was then managed by the Lazarist priests. Now belonging to the Clarence Dillon estates and Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Château La Mission Haut-Brion continues to shine as one the greatest châteaux in the world.

The vineyard
Located in the municipalities of Talence and Pessac, Château la Mission Haut-Brion is classified under the Pessac-Léognan appellation. The Château La Mission Haut-Brion vineyard covers 29 hectares of vines, 25 of which are dedicated to red grape varieties and 4 to white grape varieties. The vineyards of Château de La Mission Haut-Brion are planted in beautiful gravelly soils resting upon a subsoil of clay, sand, limestone and faluns (a shelly limestone).

The vintage
Combining freshness and significant heat, 2019 will be remembered for its major climatic contrasts. The summer brought several heatwaves which did not, however, lead to water stress in the vines or blockage of the ripening process. Rainy days in September made it possible for the grapes to become perfectly ripe in time for the harvest. The harvest began on August 29 for the whites and on September 10 for the reds.

The blend
Merlot (53%), cabernet sauvignon (39,5%), cabernet franc (7,5%).

The tasting
Tasted as a wine future, the Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2019 has a deep purple-red colour. Intensely aromatic, the nose seduces with its ripe fruit, revealing notes of red and black berries, like raspberry and blackberry. Swirling the glass reveals delicate woody, vanilla and spicy notes that nicely round out the whole. From the attack, the palate seduces with its round and meaty texture. The evolution on the palate is quite nice, revealing a delicious and full-bodied structure, with notes of black fruit and liquorice on velvety tannins. Reminiscent of the great 2000 vintage, the Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2019 certainly embodies "the soul of a Classified First Growth" and ensures the promise of a great vintage in the making.