Castle La Mission Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2010

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Sports some serious power, with dried melon and pineapple notes framing a core of Jonagold apple, lemon curd, green plum and heather. Extra tangerine and bitter almond notes flash through the finish, which is nicely toasty and needs some time to stretch out. Displays remarkable density, with a pleasant austerity now that should mellow steadily with age. Best from 2016 through 2025. –JM

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

A staggeringly rich blend of 81% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc, this full-throttle, impressively endowed wine has good acidity, with hints of candle wax, mandarin orange marmalade, caramelized melons and lemon oil. It is a stunner and should last 30-40 more years.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/11/2013

Tasted at Chateau Haut Brion. Like the counterpart red wines, the white La Mission is more outgoing than the Haut Brion with scents of fresh pineapple, citrus peel and passion fruit, again with fine minerality. The palate has a little more fatness in the mouth compared to the Haut Brion Blanc with subtle tropical tones, orange peel and a little peach. This is generous and mouth-filling although perhaps I would err towards the Haut Brion Blanc in terms of intellectual capacity. Tasted November 2012

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

This white is really intense with mangos, pineapple, and lemon character. It's full and very lively with wonderful depth of fruit and length. Fresh and bright with tangy acidity and a brilliance at the end. Hard not to drink it now. Better after 2016.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/31/2011

81% Sémillon, 19% Sauvignon Blanc. Mittleres Gelb. Komplexes Nasenbild, viel gelbe Früchte, aber nicht ins Exotische tendierend, zartes Vanillin. Im Gaumen ein grosser, wenn auch nicht besonders Bordeaux-typischer Weisswein, weil es fast keine Blends an der Gironde gibt, die mit einem vergleichbar hohen Anteil Sémillon in die Flasche kommen. Grosses Potenzial. 2016-2035

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

Composed of 81% Semillon and 19% Sauvignon Blanc, this 2010 exhibits crisp, zesty acids as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel offering lots of lanolin, sealing wax, honeyed Mandarin oranges and lemon oil. This sensational effort has 30-40 years of aging potential.(93-95+ points)

Asian Palate

92-94 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The 2010 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc has exotic notes of citrus, grapefruit, passion fruit, and star fruit, and great depth of flavour and lifted fruit that carries through in the finish. There is depth from barrel fermentation and a hint of very well integrated oak. This wine is very vibrant and while it lacks the density and power of the Haut Brion Blanc, this one is more about precision and detail. The high Sauvignon Blanc component will likely rise in the future since replantings are increasing the proportion of Sauvignon Blanc.

Le Point

14 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Nez plus fermé, verveine, boisé, gras, alcool en finale (14,3°), pas très long. O=2014 G=10 ans

Jamessuckling.com

98-99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

I love the lemon-lime, mineral and lilac character to this young white. It says great Montrachet but it’s dry white Bordeaux. Full and super minerally and racy. Intense and vibrant. Tangy. Like a red wine in structure. Very dense and beautiful.

TAST

19-20 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Admirable pureté aromatique, dans un registre évoquant la poire, le tilleul et les fleurs blanches, texture plus onctueuse qu'aucune autre dans le millésime, grande longueur, un style à part, comme toujours, dans l'esprit d'un grand cru de Bourgogne mais avec un sentiment de fraîcheur propre aux cépages bordelais. Le boisé est magnifiquement.... absent.

Decanter Magazine

19,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Beautiful citrus elements over white fruits, already richly expressive with the weight and texture of a Montrachet plus the northern Graves salinity and minerality. A triumph. Drink 2013-25. (19.5 points)

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-97 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

La Mission Haut Brion Blanc blends 81% Semillon and 19% Sauvignon Blanc to produce a perfume of honey, fresh picked flowers, grilled nuts and citrus that gets your mouth ready for a big dose of fresh, buttery lemon, banana, grapefruit and guava flavors wiith zesty acidity and freshness that lingers. 94-97 Pts

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/5/2011

Very rich in style, yet suppressed by the freshest acidity, structure and spice. This is a beautifully concentrated wine, showing both the richness of the vintage and the delicious acidity.-R.V.