95 Robert Parker
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The long 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4-6 years, and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. The final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc.<br/><br/>Jean-Philippe Delmas continues to quietly and authoritatively turn out one great wine after another at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion.
95 Vinous
The 2011 La Mission Haut-Brion is well defined and very focused on the nose: blackberry, briary and graphite, quite mineral-driven with an impressive sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good tension, quite precise with attractive black pepper and graphite notes, poised and showing good breeding on the finish. This is excellent. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
95 Robert Parker
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The long 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4-6 years, and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. The final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc.<br/><br/>Jean-Philippe Delmas continues to quietly and authoritatively turn out one great wine after another at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion.
95 Vinous
The 2011 La Mission Haut-Brion is well defined and very focused on the nose: blackberry, briary and graphite, quite mineral-driven with an impressive sense of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good tension, quite precise with attractive black pepper and graphite notes, poised and showing good breeding on the finish. This is excellent. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
18 Rene Gabriel
55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 % Merlot, 11 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Das Bouquet ist verhalten, Teernoten, Lakritze, schwarze Trüffel, wenig Süsse, im zweiten Ansatz Brazil-Tabak und doch noch eine feine Süsse zeigend mit etwas Cassisnoten im Innern. Wirkt fleischig mit einer gesunden Cabernet-Arroganz, viel Baumnussschalen, mehliges Extrakt, guter Rückhalt und eine verlangende Adstringenz. Absolut kein Schnellstarter und voll in die Klassik greifend. warten (2018 - 2045)
18 Rene Gabriel
55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 % Merlot, 11 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Das Bouquet ist verhalten, Teernoten, Lakritze, schwarze Trüffel, wenig Süsse, im zweiten Ansatz Brazil-Tabak und doch noch eine feine Süsse zeigend mit etwas Cassisnoten im Innern. Wirkt fleischig mit einer gesunden Cabernet-Arroganz, viel Baumnussschalen, mehliges Extrakt, guter Rückhalt und eine verlangende Adstringenz. Absolut kein Schnellstarter und voll in die Klassik greifend. warten (2018 - 2045)
93 Wine Spectator
This sports a pleasantly grippy edge of briar and cassis bush notes, with a densely layered core of dark fig, blackberry and black currant fruit that should move to the fore soon enough. The long, mesquite-tinged finish has solid grip. Best from 2016 through 2030. –JM
93 Wine Spectator
This sports a pleasantly grippy edge of briar and cassis bush notes, with a densely layered core of dark fig, blackberry and black currant fruit that should move to the fore soon enough. The long, mesquite-tinged finish has solid grip. Best from 2016 through 2030. –JM
