Mission Haut Brion - Pessac-Léognan 2022

Alexandre Ma

97

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2022 exudes a milky texture within its opulent body while displaying silky-smooth aromatic lines in its delightful finish. Although the alcohol content is quite high, there is no sense of warmth, achieving an almost inconceivable balance. The smooth, milk-like liquid washes over the palate in waves, accompanied by elegant strides of velvety tannins. Tasting this wine is like having a toffee-filled candy melt on the tip of your tongue; as the creamy richness dissipates, a fragrant burst of wine-soaked cherries unfolds. The wine features a Cabernet Sauvignon proportion of 51.7%, the highest in recent years, yet the overall style still maintains the charming characteristics of Château La Mission Haut-Brion.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Reserved and closed down right now, you can feel the muscularity on the opening beats but as it widens through the mid palate a ton of spice and fragrant freshly-cut herbs come crowding in, giving a light and finessed touch to the deep blueberry and plum fruits. Great quality, these wines have kept their typicity in the heat of the vintage.

Wine Advocate

96

byYohan Castaingthe3/6/2025

Less muscular and more approachable than it appeared en primeur, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion has turned out beautifully in bottle. Unfurling with aromas of spices, smoke, dark berries, pencil lead and licorice mingled with delicate floral top-notes, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated with a velvety attack that segues into an elegantly structured and energetic mid-palate that's nicely framed by sweet but abundant tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating and perfumed finish. It's a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc.

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

As to the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is pure perfection, and it's as seamless, pure, and layered as they come, while still bringing incredible intensity and richness. Smoky red and black currants, leafy tobacco, scorched earth, as well as a hint of violets, all define this incredible wine, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, velvety sweet tannins, moderate acidity, and a gorgeous finish. I love this sexy, opulent, straight-up heavenly wine today, yet it can be drunk with incredible pleasure any time over the coming 50+ years. Reminding me of the 2009 and an undeniable candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2022 hit a solid 14% alcohol with a lofty pH of 3.95.

Yvesbeck.wine

98

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

Superbe intensité du bouquet, complexe de surcroît, avec de nombreuses facettes. Ainsi, il révèle des notes de réglisse, de violettes, de baies rouges et noires et même une touche de garrigues. En bouche, le vin se révèle avec une exceptionnelle finesse. Profond et élégant, il ne manque pas d'afficher une puissance parfaitement canalisée, imposante et sereine, qui va de pair avec le côté structurant de la tension présente. Un vin tonique, sapide, salivant et entraînant ! Quelle magnifique réussite aboutit par une interminable finale. Je ne l'avais pas aussi bien dégusté en primeurs. Mea Culpa. 2028-2054 98/100

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion, as usual, deserves five minutes in the glass before sticking your nose into it. Scents of black plum, gravel, violet and crushed stone emerge; that Earl Grey element is not as obvious as it was out of barrel. This is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. Extremely pure with unerring symmetry, the 2022 builds through the caressing and persistent finish. Maybe for some it does not have the grip of top vintages, though you cannot argue against its riveting complexity and persistence in the mouth. All that said, juxtaposing the two side-by-side for 30 minutes, it must take the silver medal to 2022 Haut-Brion.

Jamessuckling.com

98

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Showing blackcurrants, crushed stones and flint undertones, this is full-bodied and very tight with great length and precision, both refined and rather timid at this stage. The strong tannins come out at the end, muscular and beautifully formed, giving tension and power. This needs lots of time to soften. Best after 2030.

Vinous

100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is a total stunner, just as it was _en primeur_. An archetype of finesse. Dark and explosive, with no hard edges, the 2022 is captivating right out of the gate. Vibrant red fruit, blood orange, new leather and exotic spice notes are all beautifully alive in the glass. The 2022 is seamless and resonant, with magnificent balance and tons of pure class. I would be thrilled to own it. In a word: dazzling.

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Gorgeous intensity on the nose, really fragrant and perfumed, richly scented with black fruits and bramble berries. Round, full, persistent and thrilling on the palate, a perfect balance between rich, concentrated and intense fruit and lively acidity. There is density and crispness while remaining quite pure and focussed, no overt over ripeness or heaviness. Precise and elegant, juicy and alive. This has supreme charm. 4pH.

Alexandre Ma

95-97

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2022 exudes a milky texture within its opulent body while displaying silky-smooth aromatic lines in its delightful finish. Although the alcohol content is quite high, there is no sense of warmth, achieving an almost inconceivable balance. The smooth, milk-like liquid washes over the palate in waves, accompanied by elegant strides of velvety tannins. Tasting this wine is like having a toffee-filled candy melt on the tip of your tongue; as the creamy richness dissipates, a fragrant burst of wine-soaked cherries unfolds. The wine features a Cabernet Sauvignon proportion of 51.7%, the highest in recent years, yet the overall style still maintains the charming characteristics of Château La Mission Haut-Brion.

Vinous

97-99

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is matured in 70% new oak. It has a very refined bouquet with mineral-driven dark berry fruit, hints of Earl Grey and freshly-rolled tobacco, focused with exquisite delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins that still provide the backbone to what is the most elegant La Missions that I have tasted at this stage. It is harmonious and silky toward its extremely persistent finish. At the moment, it has got its nose just in front of its First Growth sibling...at least at the moment. For sure, it's going to be one of the standouts of the 2022 vintage.

The Vintage Journal

97-98

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep colour. Intense inky dark berry dark chocolate, mocha notes. Richly concentrated and density packed wine with ample blackcurrant dark chocolate, inky flavours, fine grainy / chocolate tannins, superb mid palate concentration and fresh integrated acidity. (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc . Aroudn 70%+ new oak) 14.4% alc . 97-98+

matthewjukes.com

19

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

97-99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot, and 5.1% Cabernet Franc aging in 62.2% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it tumbles out of the glass with gregarious notes of plum preserves, creme de cassis, and blueberry compote, followed by hints of sandalwood, violets, and licorice. The full-bodied palate is charged with energetic black fruits, featuring impressive tension and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing very long and opulent. Typically the more flamboyant sibling to Haut-Brion, it will be hard to keep your paws off this even after only 5-6 years in bottle.

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Le bouquet de la Mission se révèle avec subtilité, presque timidité, mais il affiche de nombreuses nuances, avec des effluves de myrtilles, de sureau et de fraises, donc une variante rouge et noire ! Légèrement crémeux, le vin se révèle en crescendo. Ses tannins sont fins, veloutés. Ils apparaissent vers le milieu de bouche et font une impression sereine. Ils offrent de la puissance, sont de paire avec la structure acide et soutiennent idéalement la fin de bouche. Je trouve La Mission un peu sur la réserve, pas encore vraiment là où on a l'habitude de le trouver. L'énergie, la finesse et la puissance sont là. Par contre il me semble que d'un point de vue définition, le vin n'est pas encore calé. Il n'en est pas moins prometteur, mais moins performant qu'à l'accoutumé.

Bettane & Desseauve

97-98

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Somptueux arômes fumés, grande texture veloutée et allongée dans ce millésime avec un tannin séducteur irrésistible sur le plan tactile.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

While I don't see the 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion matching the legendary wines from this address at this early stage, it's nevertheless a gorgeous wine in the making. Based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, it has a pure, elegant, lengthy style as well as classic cassis and darker cherry fruits, some smoky, tobacco, scorched earth nuances, medium to full body, perfectly ripe tannins, and a great finish. I love its tannins, and it's a forward, seamless, balanced beauty that will shine with just short-term cellaring.

Vinous

97-99

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Dark, powerful and imposing, with compelling inner sweetness, La Mission is positively striking. The purity of the flavors is striking, but the wine's statuesque personality might be even more impressive. Time in the glass brings out all sorts of savory and mineral notes that add complexity. The balance here is just mind-blowing. What a wine! Drinking window : 2032-2062

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Deep purple in color, and the fruits are equally deep. You find blackberries, black currants, and black cherries before its nuances of smoke, cigar box, barbecue, smoked meat and roses. On the palate, there is intensity, depth of flavor, concentration, and layers of fruit. But the wine is also lifted, fresh and energetic. It is easy to taste. The finish is rich, long, vivacious, and palate-filling. The wine blends 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot, and 5.1% Cabernet Franc, 14.15% ABV, 3.95 pH. Harvesting took place, August 29 - September 19. Yields were 28 hectoliters per hectare, making this the lowest yields since 1991 with 50% of the harvest going into the grand Vin. Drink from 2027-2055.

Wine Advocate

94-96

byYohan Castaingthe4/28/2023

A rich and muscular wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals aromas of dark berries, cherries and crème de cassis mingled with licorice, spices, incense and spring flowers. Full-bodied, broad and concentrated, it's surprisingly lively despite an elevated pH of 4.0, exhibiting a seamless, broad-shouldered profile with an ample core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannin. It's a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc. 94 - 96+

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

This has real al dente fruit character on the palate with lemon rind and blackcurrants with blueberries. Lead pencil and stone, too. Full-bodied with chewy and juicy tannins that are primary and growing quickly on the palate as you taste it. Reminds me of the 1978, but brighter and more precise. 51.7% cabernet sauvignon, 43.2% merlot and 5.1% cabernet franc.