Mission Haut Brion Blanc - Pessac-Léognan 2020

Vinous

91

par Neal Martin le 28/02/2025

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a very pretty, finely delineated bouquet with notes of white peach and lemon verbena and later, a hint of chamomile. The palate is fresh and defined with good weight and salinity. It’s not amazingly complex on the finish, though that is partially compensated by its vigor. Like the Haut-Brion Blanc, this is far below what I would have expected. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate

94.00

par William Kelley le 06/04/2023

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc opens in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, lemongrass, crisp stone fruits and wet stones framed by a touch of youthful reduction. Medium to full-bodied, layered and racy, with chalky structure and a mouthwatering finish, it was bottled under Diam 30.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

par Jeb Dunnuck le 30/03/2023

The 2020 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc from this reference point estate is a fresher, vibrant white displaying a complex, intense style in its crushed citrus, orange pith, white flowers, and green nut-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has racy acidity, good mid-palate concentration, and flawless balance. I don't think it has the extra "je ne sais quoi" character and dimensions found in the Haut-Brion Blanc, but this is nevertheless a brilliant Pessac Blanc that will evolve for two to three decades.

Vinous

96

par Neal Martin le 15/02/2023

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a complex and engaging bouquet with Granny Smiths and Conference pear, wet limestone, a subtle petrichor scent that I did not notice from barrel. The palate is very well balanced with admirable weight and just a tad more acidic "bite" compared to its showing en primeur. Hints of lemongrass add more spiciness and vivacity towards the finish that feels persistent in the mouth. This is very impressive and I can foresee a long future ahead. Dare I say that this has passed Haut-Brion Blanc in its slipstream during its élevage? Indeed, I do.

Vinous

94-96

par Antonio Galloni le 01/06/2021

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is pure seduction. Creamy and layered in the glass, the 2020 is elegance personified. Hints of spice and white flowers lead into apricot, white peach, mint and sage, all beautifully knit together. The 2020 balances freshness with textural intensity so sell. It's an absolutely gorgeous wine.

Vinous

93-95

par Neal Martin le 27/05/2021

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has an intense nose of white flowers, Conference pear, broom and almost basalt-like aromas. It demands an hour to really show what it can do – nothing new there. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine acidity, delivering grapefruit, passion fruit, touches of sour lemon and an underlying salinity that upholds the requisite tension on the finish. Very assured and classy, though perhaps the growing season denied it a soupçon of mineralité that would have elevated it to a bona fide great La Mission Blanc. As usual, it will require cellaring and ample decanting.

Decanter.com

95

par Jane Anson le 25/05/2021

Fragrant white flowers, touches of lime blossom and slate-filled citrus. The acidity is fresh, but this is more about texture, and it is extremely successful. Harvest from 19th to 28th August. The minerality, together with freshly cut rosemary and sage notes, is accentuated as it opens, which is an excellent indicator of how well this wine will age. Deft winemaking, as ever, proving why this is one of Bordeaux's best loved white wines. Tasted twice.

The Wine Cellar Insider

99

par Jeff Leve le 21/05/2021

Green apples, pears, lemon, grapefruit peel, spice, flowers, crushed rocks and stone create the nose. The palate is full, rich, deep and creamy, with endless layers of fresh, ripe, yellow citrus, honeysuckle and minerality tinted fruits that are made even better by its slap of crisp, biting acidity. Made from a blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon, picking took place August 20, August 27. 99

Wine Advocate

95-97

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 20/05/2021

The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is a blend of 54.7% Sauvignon Blanc and 45.3% Semillon, harvested 19th to 28th August, with an estimated alcohol of 13.8%. The nose tingles with electric notes of lemon zest, orange blossoms and pink grapefruit, followed by hints of fresh ginger, elderflowers and crushed rocks, plus a waft of lime leaves. The medium-bodied palate quivers with intense, tightly wound citrus fruit layers, backed up by a racy backbone and finishing long and steely.

Anthocyanes

96-98

par Yohan Castaing le 11/05/2021

Très beau nez de tilleul, presque verveine citronnée, agrumes avec une pointe délicate et énergique de fruits blancs. La bouche est droite, dense, légèrement austère à ce stade avec un bel équilibre. Voici un vin qui ne se livre pas et qui reste encore un peu fermé sur lui-même mais qui possède un très beau potentiel. Les élevages seront décisifs d'autant que les sémillons semblent denses et profonds.. Légère pointe tannique en finale. Très belle bouteille en devenir.

Falstaff

93-95

par Peter Moser le 10/05/2021

Helles Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Zarte Nuancen nach Grapefruit, gelbe Stachelbeeren unterlegt, grüner Apfel, frische Wiesenkräuter, mineralischer Touch. Mittlerer Körp- er, feine weiße Tropenfrucht, lebendiger Säurebogen, zitronig-saliner Anklang mit Papayatouch im Abgang, bietet leichtfüßigen Trinkgenuß.

My Bettane + Desseauve

96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 07/05/2021

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

par James Suckling le 04/05/2021

A vivid, really bright La Mission, showing strength and finesse at the same time. Honeysuckle, lime, lemon and other citrus fruit with stone and mineral undertones. 55% sauvignon and 45% semillon.