La Mission Haut Brion 2014

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2014 is a blend of 54% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between 15 September and 8 October raised in 55% new oak. It has a very fresh and precise bouquet, not one that marches out the barrack in confidence fashion, but rather unfolds piece-by-piece in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a structured and neatly placed opening: a little masculine for La Mission Haut-Brion at this stage, linear and focused, maintaining precision rather than aiming from power and roundness. This is a sophisticated La Mission Haut-Brion in the making, one that may actually surpass Haut-Brion as it is sometimes prone to do. The 2014 is a sterling success for Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

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.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

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. The blend is 54 % Merlot, 45 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 % Cabernet Franc.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion is magnificent. A dark, mysterious wine, the 2014 offers superb depth and intensity from the very first taste. The flavors are dark, bold and quite authoritative, but there is an element of sensuality laced throughout as well. Graphite, savory herbs, cherry jam, graphite and smoke add nuance to a huge, powerful finish supported by beams of salinity and energy. What a gorgeous wine this is. The blend is 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion has a sophisticated, very detailed bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, cedar and graphite. This is very focused and yet at the same time quite controlled and discrete. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, cedar and touches of allspice. I love the depth of this wine and the gentle grip towards the finish. It knows not to push too hard in this growing season and that results in a very classy wine. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.