The Chapel of the Mission Haut-Brion

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Nobody could quite believe how well the Chapelle de la Mission '09 showed under blind conditions. It is endowed with a quintessential Graves-like nose with ebullient black fruit, black olive, singed leather and a touch of graphite. It is very composed and focused, the oak very well embroidered into the fruit profile. The palate is backward and tightly coiled at the moment with insistent grip towards the bright, luscious finish that manages to maintain tension and poise. This is offering so much pleasure now - it will be interesting to see how it evolves. Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

Deep ruby. Deep, complex nose of blackcurrant, coffee and fresh herbs. Similarly complex on the palate, offering rich yet fresh flavors of black fruits, aromatic herbs and cocoa along with a hint of violet. This long, youthfully chewy wine is much bigger than the very good 2008. Like La Mission, this has improved greatly since the Primeurs, when I probably underrated it by a point or two. Don't think I'm crazy when I tell you that this wine is very close in quality to some La Missions from lesser vintages of the past.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2012

A plush, modern style version, with a rounded feel to the spice-tinged structure that supports the fleshy blackberry and raspberry confiture flavors. Fruitcake and dark anise chime in the background and echo through the suave, well-coated finish. Best from 2014 through 2025. 5,800 cases made. –JM

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

The second wine, the 2009 La Chapelle de la Mission, is essentially an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly more Cabernet Franc that came in at 14.2% natural alcohol. It reveals an extraordinary meaty nose displaying hints of volcanic soils, burning embers, sweet black currants, blueberries, plums, tobacco leaf and wet stones. This tasty, full-bodied, supple-textured beauty should drink well for 15-20 years.

Jancis Robinson

94 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/15/2012

A gorgeous red, with sweet tobacco, plums and ripe strawberries and hints of cigar box. Full body, with chewy and ripe tannins and a creamy texture. Dense and rich, yet so balanced and beautiful. Second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion. Better in 2016.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

(46% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot and 10% cabernet franc; ph 3.87; 70 IPT) Ruby-red. Perfumed, deep aromas of minty raspberry and ripe strawberry. Enters smooth but dense, offering rich redcurrant, strawberry, cedar and floral flavors. Finishes with a slightly chalky mouth feel to the otherwise fine-grained tannins, and with persistent floral lift. A very successful second wine that in '09 is the quality equivalent of many top wines of the appellation.

Le Figaro

89-91 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

De robe sombre, le nez est marqué par la mûre avec des notes un peu animales. En bouche, le vin est souple et rond, suave et généreux avec un peu un peu de dilution. 46 % cabernet-sauvignon, 44 % merlot, 10 % cabernet-franc.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe6/28/2010

46 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 44 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc. Dunkles Granat. Würzig-florales Bouquet, Tabakblatt, feiner Minzhauch, erstaunlich tief. Aromatischer Gaumenbeginn, mittlerer Körper, fein stützende Muskeln, langes Finale. Der beste Chapelle bislang und der erste, der 17/20 erreicht. 2014-2023

Le Point

14,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Constitué, lui, de 44% merlot, 46% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc. Fruits noirs, un peu réductif, bouche ronde, grasse, veloutée, tendue, un e peu séchante en finale. O=2013 G=10 ans

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2010

Tasted at the chateau. A deep purple/garnet core. The nose is ripe and well-defined with graphite and mineral tinged black plum fruit with just a hint of Japanese umiboshi. The palate is medium-bodied, firm tannins, good weight, blackberry, a touch of burnt toast and graphite. Just a touch of hardness of youth, chalky, slightly pointed on the finish. I suspect this will really come into its own after bottling. Tasted April 2010. 89-91+

Falstaff

92-94 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Feine Gewürzanklänge, mit rotbeerigen Nuancen unterlegt, Weichseln. Stoffig und süß, Brombeeren, sehr komplex, extraktsüß, sehr elegant, überzeugende Länge für einen Zweitwein.

Periodic Review of Wine

89-91 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

The full-throttled, saturated ruby-purple colored Chapelle is a beautiful offering. Its cherry, mulberry, blueberry, blackberry, crème de cassis, and mineral fragrances precede a mouthful of full-bodied, dense, extracted berries and cherry flavor. This is solid, concentrated, and silky-textured wine done in a luscious style coupled with a substantial length. A seamless wine to seek out in the vintage! Maturity period 2015-2026

Wine Advocate

91-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

There are approximately 2,000 cases of the 2009 La Chapelle de La Mission, the best one I have ever tasted. A blend of nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Cabernet Franc added in, it achieved 14.2% natural alcohol. The wine is a remarkable effort, with amazing density, extraordinary fruit quality, dense purple color with meaty notes alongside subtle barbecue smoke, camphor, black currant, sweet cherry, and blackberry. It has a lush, opulent texture, loads of glycerin, and admirable purity and length. I could have drunk a bottle or two just tasting it from the barrel! It should evolve for 10-15 or more years. (Tasted two times.) Harvest started around September 9 at La Mission Haut-Brion, and finished almost a month later, on October 6. To get an idea of just how extraordinary all the wines from the Dillon family are in 2009, just consider how phenomenal the second wines are. Drink 2010-2025. (91-94*) points

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/9/2010

A structured young red with blueberry, toasted oak and coffee aromas and flavors. Full and silky, with ripe tannins and beautiful fruit. Long and flavorful. Second wine of La Mission.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/7/2010

Deep purple with good complex savour on the nose. Relatively high volatility and a really firm tannic backbone. But there is polish here too. Deep and rich underneath. Very dry finish. Very firm – just extra depth but no extra obvious sweetness/ripeness until the very end when there is quite a bit of alcohol. Obvious top growth address even in this wine. Drink 2019-2030