Mission Haut Brion Blanc - Pessac-Léognan 2018

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has really come together nicely since I last tasted it. Bright and finely cut, with terrific creaminess, the 2018 is already very easy to taste, and, I imagine, drink. Lime, lemon peel, mint, white pepper and jasmine give the 2018 striking effusiveness.

Wine Advocate

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The La Mission Haut-Brion 2018 Blanc is a blend of 57.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 42.6% Sémillon. It sashays out of the glass with gregarious notes of white peaches, fresh pears and pineapple with nuances of lime blossoms, crushed rocks and sea spray, plus a waft of beeswax. The racy, medium to full-bodied palate is charged with energy, delivering vibrant citrus and tropical fruit layers with a satiny texture and fantastic length. Completely exceeding my barrel tasting expectations, this promises to be an earlier drinking style, albeit multilayered, dripping with class and, yes, it's downright sexy. Give it just a few more months in bottle and then it should offer decadent drinking for the next 15+ years.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

A richer, more textured wine than the Haut-Brion Blanc, no doubt due to its larger Sémillon content, the 2018 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc reveals a medium gold hue as well as beautiful pineapple, honeyed lime, star fruit, and floral aromas and flavors. Nicely concentrated on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and offers beautiful acidity, plenty of depth and richness, and a great finish. A slightly softer wine, it doesn't have the precision of its counter mate yet brings more texture and opulence. It's another brilliant white that will benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve for 15+ years or so.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

A cornucopia of yellow, green and orange citrus is accompanied by hints of yellow tropical yellow fruit, honeysuckle and spice on the nose. Round, lush, rich and long on the palate, the finish leaves you with layers of sweet, juicy Meyer lemons, crisp green apple, crushed rocks, stone and a touch of honey. Made from a blend of 57.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 42.6% Semillon. This is only the second time you find more Sauvignon Blanc than Semillon in the blend.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

Tasted side by side, the 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is unequivocally a few steps ahead of the 2018 Haut-Brion Blanc. I made sure to decant my bottle for three hours before penning a single note, as it always demands aeration. Slightly deeper in color, which is nothing unusual, it has a more complex bouquet of yellow fruit, peach skin, almond shavings, hazelnut and light lanolin notes, all beautifully defined. The palate is extremely well balanced with a tangy, marmalade-tinged entry, dried honey and a slight pepperiness toward the finish. Very cohesive and focused, this is a marvelous, quite cerebral La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. Superb.

Wine Spectator

97

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Intense, with a very vibrant mix of tangerine, white peach, acacia, Meyer lemon, thyme and verbena notes all getting a turn as they race through. Long, salted butter note underscores the finish. A wine that marries brightness and purity with richness and opulence. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Best from 2022 through 2034. –JM

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, harvested from 27 August to 5 September and matured in 50% new oak. It is just the second time there has been more Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, the first time was in 2016. It has a touch more precision and penetration on the nose compared to the Haut-Brion Blanc, scents of Mirabelle, dried honey and a touch of crushed gravel. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity: attractive white peach and Nashi pear notes mixed with a hint of Panna Cotta towards the finish. Excellent.

WeinWisser

18

byTjark Witzgallthe5/7/2019

Vinous

90-93

byAntonio Gallonithe5/3/2019

The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is rich, ample and expressive, with tons of Sauvignon Blanc character and the added textural richness of the vintage. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint and white peach all meld together in a pretty, understated wine. The 2018 offers lovely aromatic brightness as well as a sense of translucence that is quite appealing. The Blanc is 57.4% Sauvignon and 42.6% Sémillon.

Vinifera

93

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Très joli nez stylé, sur des notes d'agrumes, de fruits frais. Entrée en bouche dotée d'une fine vivacité. Il évolue vers une texture assez grasse. La finale offre une jolie persistance mais le vin n'atteint pas tout à fait la grande dimension.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The La Mission Haut-Brion 2018 Blanc is made of 57.4% Sauvignon Blanc and 42.6% Sémillon, harvested August 27 to September 5. It reveals intense lemon curd, lime leaves, yuzu and green mango scents with hints of chalk dust, orange blossoms, pie crust and coriander seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with vibrant citrus and tropical fruit layers, with a satiny texture and just enough freshness, finishing long and layered.

Jamessuckling.com

97-98

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This is a dense and lively La Mission white with lemon, lime and cream character and a light mineral and salty undertone. White pepper and salt at the finish.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

94

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019