Castle The High Mission Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2015

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/30/2016

The 100-point 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion is almost as persuasive as the 2015 Margaux. Its similar tannin structure and texture that make the wine so perfect. The almost pure cabernet sauvignon is a benchmark for the grape type. Here is my tasting note from visiting the château last week. Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan: The persistence of this wine is superb with a great expression of amazing cabernet sauvignon. Black currants and rose petal abound in both the nose and the palate. Full-bodied yet tight and reserved. So polished and balanced. A reference point for La Mission. 100 points. 

Vinifera

5 / 5

the5/31/2016

Belle présentation aromatique, sur les fruits noirs, la violette, le réglisse. Entrée en bouche d’une belle densité. De la continuité au développement avec une trame épicée et un tanin très savoureux. Longue finale réglissée.

Decanter.com

96 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/2/2016

Taut and tense from the off: coffee, smoky almond and pulsing with vibrancy and energy. Reservations over the high alcohol at 15.1%abv but 3.74pH means you barely feel it. Such beautiful tannic grip and sense of forward motion, showing great ageing potential. Beautiful length of damson and loganberry fruits and fragrant heather and garden herbs. Lovely texture, structured and tannic hold. 78% new oak.2026-2040

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/30/2016

Smoke, tar, tobacco, flowers, boysenberry and cassis pop with no effort. On the palate, this wine combines power with freshness, length and purity of fruit. Rich and structured, this delight delivers a multifaceted finish, which I timed at close to 60 seconds! Created from a blend of 58% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 15.1% alcohol with a pH of 3.74. The Grand Vin was made from 56% of the harvest, which took place from September 9 to October 1.

Bettane & Desseauve

18-18,5 / 20

the4/28/2016

Il souffre un peu par rapport à l’extraordinaire retour de tannin de haut-brion, mais c’est un vin magnifique, au velouté de texture idéal, complexe, plutôt tendre et avec un fondu plus immédiat. On aimerait un milieu de bouche un peu mieux centré.

Vinous

94-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

In 2015, La Mission Haut-Brion is translucent and deeply expressive to the core. Remarkably polished for such a young wine, the 2015 also handles its 15% alcohol with grace. Smoke, graphite, tar, leather and incense, the 2015 exudes intensity allied to freshness, a combination that makes it virtually irresistible in my book. The 2015 is also remarkably nuanced for such a big wine, but it has tremendous persistence in all directions. Scents of rose petal, mint, red cherry and pomegranate meld into the voluptuous finish. Tasted two times.

Jancis Robinson

18,5 /

byJancis Robinsonthe4/26/2016

58% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked from 9 September to 1 October. Very dark and glamorous-looking. Fairly dumb nose but obviously great weight and intensity. A big brooding monster! Massive charge of tannins. Big and pretty alcoholic on the end. Not very communicative at the moment. Lots of palate-tanning tannins. After a while in the glass, a whiff of cordite emerged. Sorcery? Drink 2030-2050

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

René Gabriel

19 / 20

the4/10/2016

58 % Merlot, 35 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Berauschendes Bouquet, viel Maulbeeren und Cassis, zeigt dabei viel tiefgründige Würze, Lakritze, dunkle Edelhölzer, Havanna-Tabak, Teer und schwarze Trüffelanklänge. Massiver, konzentrierter Gaumen, alles liegt im schwarzbeerigen Bereich, die Tannine sind genau auf dem Punkt und auch die Früchte sind weder- unter- noch überreif. Also ein sehr präziser, langer Mission mit Neigung zur Klassik. Was denn auch sein Potential unterstreicht und den Effekt, dass es kein Frühcharmeur wird. Erste Genussreife ist da wohl erst in etwa 15 Jahren. 19/20 2026 – 2054

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

The purity in this wine is really mindblowing. So perfect. Licorice. Stone. Blackberry, blueberry. Full body. The power is amazing. But then it finishes etheral and so agile and beautiful. I am lost for words. This will rank with the best ever from here including 1975 and 1929. 58% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc.

Wine Advocate

97-99 / 100

byNeal Martin

The 2015 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 9 September and 1 October. Matured in 78% new oak, it has an incredibly pure bouquet with intense blueberry, blackberry, iodine and cold stone aromas that soar from the glass. There is nothing holding back here - a La Mission with real exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with incredible intensity in the mouth, but without any leaden weight. It is a startling La Mission Haut-Brion to behold at this early stage. It is one of those wines where as a professional critic, I had to adopt a poker face to hide the untrammeled joy this nascent wine imparts. Complete and profound, the 2015 will rank as one of the great modern-day classics from this grand estate, another to add to that long list of magical La Missions. Drink 2030-2070