19 By Rene Gabriel
54 % Merlot, 45 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Purpur- Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Subtiles, komplexes Bouquet, oben sind ganz feine Kräuternuancen zu spüren, Minze, Thymian und Rosmarin, darunter schwarzbeerige Konturen, Schokolade, dunkle Edelhölzer, frische Nussschalen und Tabak. Im Gaumen fest, verlangend, maskulin, die Adstringenz deutet ein Potential von locker 50 Jahren an. Dies wird wiederum heissen, dass man diesen langlebigen Mission wohl erst in etwa 20 Jahren erstmals in seinem Höhepunkt antreffen wird. Ungeduldige Weinfreaks sollen hier gefälligst die Finger davon lassen! Damit die echten Mission-Liebhaber nicht zu kurz kommen. 19/20 2030 – 2065
96 By 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. Give it until 2023.
96 By Vinous
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.
95 By Robert Parker
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.
94 By Wine Spectator
Fleshy and very compact, with layers of dark fig, black currant paste and blackberry reduction still sorting themselves out. Sports a serious spine of tar while a well-roasted apple wood element forms the backdrop on the dense finish. The range and density set this apart. Should be rather long-lived for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2030. 6,300 cases made.
54 % Merlot, 45 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Purpur- Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Subtiles, komplexes Bouquet, oben sind ganz feine Kräuternuancen zu spüren, Minze, Thymian und Rosmarin, darunter schwarzbeerige Konturen, Schokolade, dunkle Edelhölzer, frische Nussschalen und Tabak. Im Gaumen fest, verlangend, maskulin, die Adstringenz deutet ein Potential von locker 50 Jahren an. Dies wird wiederum heissen, dass man diesen langlebigen Mission wohl erst in etwa 20 Jahren erstmals in seinem Höhepunkt antreffen wird. Ungeduldige Weinfreaks sollen hier gefälligst die Finger davon lassen! Damit die echten Mission-Liebhaber nicht zu kurz kommen. 19/20 2030 – 2065
