2014 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Description

96   James Suckling
“The typicity of La Mission is really here. Aromas of iodine, oyster shell, currants and orange peel are evident. Full-bodied, tight and tannic with a muscular and toned texture that holds the wine down at the moment, but it’s waiting to release its joy and true nature. Fine-grained.” (2/2017)

95   Neal Martin for Wine Advocate
“The 2014 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 54% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between 15 September and 8 October and raised in 55% new oak. It has retained that engagingly fresh and vibrant bouquet, the bashful nature that it showed in barrel replaced by a more outgoing personality. This is an exquisite bouquet with pure black fruit, cold stone, a touch of black olive and later a suggestion of boysenberry preserve. The palate is still structured and considering that a majority is Merlot, quite masculine. There remains some new oak to be fully assimilated, although there is clearly the fruit to soak that up. It comes more alive on the second half with a lovely spiciness and impressive persistence. It will have more to give down the line and the strictness implies that this La Mission Haut Brion should be afforded a decade in the cellar before it will show what it can do.” (3/2017)

95   Antonio Galloni for Vinous
“The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion is dark, powerful and authoritative from the very first impression. A dark, beguiling wine, it boasts serious richness and concentration. Savory herbs, tobacco, menthol, licorice and a host of dark fruit infuse this deep, intense La Mission. The 2014 is not a huge wine, but it does have exceptional balance. This is a very strong showing.” (2/2017)

95   Roger Voss for Wine Enthusiast
“Richly endowed, the wine is beautifully concentrated. Still young it has considerable potential with its rich fruits and firm tannins. There is a strongly juicy aftertaste that brings in the freshness of the year. The wine will age well, and should not be drunk before 2026.” (2/2017)