Chapelle de la Mission - Pessac-Léognan 2021

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe8/2/2022

They experienced almost average yields at La Mission and Haut-Brion, despite Jack Frost waggling his icy finger on two plots of vines totalling 3 ha. They coped well with the challenges posed by mildew by acting very swiftly, resulting in plentiful yields by comparison to many other properties of 48hl/ha. The result is a healthy crop that demanded much more selection, and less than 20% of the overall harvest was made into the Grand Vin. Having said this, more 'second wine' was made, and this will be an excellent bonus for keen collectors of these styles this year. In the end, ripeness came very slowly, so all of the wines in this portfolio show lower alcohol levels this year. La Chapelle possesses a lovely perfume, and it is unusually gentle and open on the nose. The palate is more tense and sharp-focussed with more strict fruit notes and little excess flesh. The flavour is ‘Cabernet-shaped’ even though a larger proportion of Merlot is used in the blended wine. The finish is not too coarse or tannic, but it is clean and crisp and long, so it will still require a degree of patience before you open a bottle. 17.5+

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

Nicely firm and structured with a tight core of blackberry, stone and bark with some graphite. Grainy, firm tannins. Fresh and focused finish. 51.3% merlot, 45.2% cabernet sauvignon and 3.5% cabernet franc.

The Vintage Journal

93-94 / 100

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2022

Medium-deep crimson. Fresh chinotto, black cherry, blackcurrant aromas with herb garden aniseed notes. Fresh chinotto black cherry blackcurrant flavours, fine chalky bittersweet tannins and underlying savoury notes. Finishes chalky firm and minerally. 51% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, 45% cabernet sauvignon. 27% new oak. 13.5% alc

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

The fruits are bright, fresh, crisp and savory, with a leafy, tobacco wrapper, forest leaf, and spearmint accent on the nose, as well as in the chalky, spicy, tobacco-infused, red berry oriented finish. Enjoy it while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, 13.4% ABV. Drink from 2024-2034. 90-92

Jane Anson

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion has a pure black cherry and wild strawberry bouquet, very well defined and revealing hints of vanilla pod with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but firm tannins, and quite concentrated for a Deuxième Vin, leading to a nicely structured, slightly chewy finish. A gutsy La Chapelle.

Vinous

89-91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is quite elegant and delicate in this vintage. Floral accents perk up a core of bright, red-fleshed fruit. the 2021 is nicely delineated, I just wish there was a bit more depth. Ultimately the 2021 feels a bit light.

vvwine

89-91 / 100

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

51% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% Alkohol. Leuchtendes Rubin. Klare, reine Nase, feine Fruchtnoten, rote Früchte dominieren, dazu feine, florale Noten. Im Gaumen mit delikater Frucht, die Tannine sind präsent, halten sich diskret im Hintergrund, ungemein knackig und frisch, mit rotfruchtigem, ausgewogenem Finale. 2024-2036+ (Verkostet im April 2022. Château La Mission Haut-Brion)

Anthocyanes

90-92 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/6/2022

Assemblages réalisés. Très beau nez de fruits noirs, de fleurs, de mure, de groseille et une pointe racinaire. Bouche droite, tendue avec une trame tannique structurante et fraiche. Les tanins sont ici encore dans leur jeunesse mais l'élevage et un temps de bouteille permettra d'arrondir l'ensemble.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

Aromas of dark berries, rich spices, loamy soil and new oak introduce the 2021 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming wine with an enveloping core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. While it can't match the polish and elegant of La Clarence de Haut-Brion this year, it's a fine second wine.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byGeorgina Hindlethe4/1/2022

Gorgeous pink rose floral notes on the nose, so aromatic and pretty with red cherries and strawberries. Tannins are firm on the palate, gripping the tongue but the density is so appealing, bright with high acidity giving a high tone and a chalky edge to the flavour and texture on the tongue. You get the crushed stone and graphite edges too. It's direct and linear, all travelling in one line, just stopping short of sharp but well defined with real clarity and drive. Lovely density of flavour with a weightless texture except for the grippy, mint and slate tannins that are so cooling and fresh. Charming and lively.