La Mission Haut Brion 2001

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2001 is just showing a tiny bit of maturity on the rim. The nose is very elegant, almost understated in character, quite rounded and lithe, the Merlot intense and dominating over the Cabernet. Seductive bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, lovely ripe rounded black fruits cut through with vibrant acidity. Nice tension like the ’05 with a crisp, slightly leafy finish with great length. Do not ignore the quality of this wine. Excellent. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted May 2008.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A lighter more fragrant, feminine nose that suddenly builds in the glass, mocha, liquorice and some warm summer fruits. Quite fleshy and opulent but after five minutes still difficult to coax from the glass, so perhaps lacking some vivacity? Very smooth on the entry, svelte texture, harmonious, very good extraction with a plump, sweet, rounded, cherry and orange-tinged satin finish. Great length – sultry and sensuous. Sublime. Tasted October 2007.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

More intensely mineral in flavor than usual, with notes of camphor, earth, and black fruit, the 2001 La Mission is an elegant, vibrant, well-defined effort with sweet, concentrated rich fruit. A blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it boasts a dense plum/purple color along with sweet flavors of mineral-infused black currant fruit with a hint of tar and earth in the background. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, with good texture, sweet tannin, and a long finish, it is stylistically similar to the 1999, but with more fruit density, concentration, and size. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2020.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. This has another lovely bouquet, quite floral and lifted with outstanding delineation with small dark cherries, orange blossom, wild strawberry and a touch of cooked meat. Very complex and absorbing. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly ferrous entry, superb balance with just a faint hint of pepper. Lovely delineation and symmetry here with great focus and poise. It just builds and builds towards the menthol-tinged finish. Outstanding. Tasted March 2011.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Like its more famous neighbor, Haut-Brion, the 2001 La Mission Haut-Brion has closed down considerably since bottling. A blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it possesses an inky/purple color (deeper than Haut-Brion’s) in addition to a tight but promising bouquet of scorched earth, wood, tar, black currants, and a hint of hickory wood. Medium-bodied, firm, muscular, and virile, it is a candidate for long term cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020+.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Now this is an outstanding La Mission, in a different class to the other Pessac wines and on par with its neighbour over the road, Haut-Brion. A typical Graves-like nose with earthy, cedar, black olives and a floral scent developing. The palate is simply beautifully balanced, vivacious, and vigorous with seamless new oak. Quite modern and stylish for La Mission yet retaining its typicity. Very focused and great length. One of the best wines of the tasting and one that has 15-20 years ahead. Tasted November 2005.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2001’s juicy, peppery, meaty bouquet reveals notions of black currants, black cherries, tobacco leaf, and smoky barbecue. This expressive, medium-bodied, seductive La Mission has shed most of its tannin, revealing a gentle roundness. The wine builds incrementally in the mouth, finishing with impressive purity and length. Neither the biggest nor most flamboyant La Mission-Haut-Brion, it is a classic example to drink over the next 10-15 years while waiting for the bombastic, massive 2000 to evolve.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

While it is virtually impossible to duplicate the surreal wine made at La Mission-Haut-Brion in 2000, the 2001 La Mission is an elegant, vibrant, well-defined effort with sweet, concentrated rich fruit. It is a blend of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc. The wine boasts a dense plum/purple color along with a sweet perfume of mineral-infused black currant fruit with a hint of tar in the background. It is ripe, medium to full-bodied, with good texture, sweet tannin, and a long finish. It is stylistically similar to the 1999, but with more fruit density as well as delineation. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Perhaps one of the more overlooked vintages in recent years, the Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2001 is one of the finest wines of the vintage. Here, one is immediately taken aback by the precision exuded by the nose: small dark cherries and orange blossom still there, perhaps the mineralité more heightened than ever. The palate displays exquisite balance with nigh on perfect acidity, demonstrating more tension, if not the dimension of the 1990 tasted alongside. This is a serious La Mission for long-term aging. Tasted June 2014.