| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Still |
The rare dry white wine from La Mission Haut Brion is made by the same team as Haut Brion Blanc. It used to be known as Laville Haut Brion but changed its name in 2009. The 2.5 hectare vineyard produces around 500 dozen bottles annually. There is more Sémillon planted here than Sauvignon Blanc (the opposite of Haut Brion Blanc).
The 2024 is made from 59% Semillon and 41% Sauvignon Blanc and the alcohol is at 13.7%. 40% new oak. Picked 4th to 10th September, yield 38 hl/ha.
The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, which has more Sémillon in the blend, was reticent on the nose and demanded more coaxing than usual, (reluctantly) offering scents of red apple, lime flower and crushed stone. The palate is more expressive with impressive weight and density. The 2024 is fresh and vibrant with palpable tension, revealing a tingle of lemongrass and stem ginger towards its sustained finish. When I returned to my glass after 20 minutes, the aromatics had burst open and shown their true colours, with hints of chai and popcorn and wonderful mineralité. This might turn out to be one of the best white La Missions in recent years.
Needs a lot of swirling to begin to reveal notes of yuzu, freshly squeezed lemons, and green mango, plus hints of lime blossoms and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate delivers a satiny texture with tightly knit citrus and floral layers, finishing long and minerally. Gorgeous.
41% Sauvignon Blanc, 59% Sémillon, aging in French oak, 40% new.
The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is powerful and very deep, despite its understated personality. Orchard fruit, lemon peel, slate, mint, white pepper and chalk all grace the palate. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. This is an especially brisk style that is so attractive. 2029-2039.
The 2024 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc reveals a gently reductive bouquet of pear, white peach, confit citrus and verbena mingled with exotic anise touches that emerge with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's bright and enveloping with an elegantly phenolic mid-palate and a mouthwateringly mordant finish. This is a blend of 59% Sémillon and 41% Sauvignon Blanc.
Silverish lemon colour. Succulent white pear fruit, subtle lemon balm and fresh mint on the nose make for a very enticing aromatic profile. Suave in texture, with real energy but not searing acids. It's like biting into fresh stone and citrus fruits, moreish and mouthwatering while remaining serious and layered. There is a stony, spicy undertone that raises the level, and you feel like this will gain weight through elevage. Real potential and a resounding success.
Beautifully gripping and fragrant aromatics, sage, white apricot and peach, this is a wonderful wine, aerian, lilts upwards through the palate, has tenacity but with the gentlest of grips, white roses, apple blossom, preserved citrus, precise and pretty yet with a slow build of complexity. Clear ageing ability, one of the wines of the vintage. 40% new oak Harvest September 2 to 10. 3.25ph, 38hl/h yield.
The quality of the fruit is great, with beautiful depth and clarity. The acidity is quite bright, and there is enough substance and beautiful texture on the palate to keep it balanced. Long and subtle at this stage, but the potential is huge, with a style that's really minerally and classic. 59% semillon and 41% sauvignon blanc.
