Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2021

A fresh and aromatic Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The estate

A neighbour of the legendary Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion is one of the most iconic references of Bordeaux and has been for centuries. Founded in the 16th century by the Lestonnac family, the property was then operated by the Lazarist priests. Now a property of the Domaine Clarence Dillon and Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Château La Mission Haut-Brion continues to shine among the greatest wines in the world.

The vineyard

Located in the Talence and Pessac area, Château La Mission Haut-Brion reigns over a 29-hectare vineyard, 25 of which are dedicated to red grape varieties and 4 to white grape varieties. Planted on beautiful gravel soils resting upon a subsoil of clay, sand, limestone and falun (a shell limestone), the vines of Château de La Mission Haut-Brion give rise to fine Pessac-Léognan wines.

The vintage

The mild winter favoured the early budding of the vines on March 1st. Although the spring frost in April spared the vast majority of the plots, the cool weather and heavy rainfall in May and June slowed down the development of the vine. However, the flowering was homogeneous and showcased a good quality. The teams’ rigour and hard work enabled them to preserve the vineyard’s healthy condition. The gravelly soils, with their capacity for reverberation, allowed the vines to benefit from indirect sunshine. The warm, dry climate and the cool nights from the beginning of August were ideal conditions for refining the ripeness and aromatic palette of the grapes until the harvest. With a more moderate amount of sugar than in previous vintages and a pleasant balance, the grapes produced a vintage reminiscent of the classic Bordeaux wines from the 1990s.

Vinification and ageing

Aged in barrels (73% new).

The blend

Merlot (47.9%)

Cabernet Sauvignon (45.8%)

Cabernet Franc (6.3%).

Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The colour is an intense purple.

Nose

Intense, the nose gives off fruity (blackberry), woody and vanilla fragrances.

Palate

An ample and fruity attack precedes a palate whose fine tannins are harmoniously blend with a velvety feel and a rare and fresh structure.