2004 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan

Colour: Red

Vintage: 2004

Region: Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan

Lying across the road from the 1st Growth Chateau Haut Brion, La Mission has been producing wines that equal, and sometimes surpass, the 1st Growths. It is unquestionably one of the finest estates in Graves, producing full bodied wines of intense richness, extract and tannin, with comparable consistency to Latour in creating decent wines in mediocre vintages. This is due in no small measure to the winemaking brilliance of Jean Delmas who was brought into the team in 1983 when the Dillon family (owners of Chateau Haut Brion) bought the estate from the descendents of the Woltner family. Credit must be given to the Woltners who, during their 65 year reign, helped establish La Mission as a wine of 1st Growth quality. However it was Jean, and now his son Jean-Philippe, who have taken that inherent quality and turned it into one of the most sought-after wines in the world. Indeed it boasts more perfect scores than almost any other Bordeaux property.

Tasting Notes and Scores

94 NM

A deep garnet core with dark ruby rim. The nose pales against the 2005 as expected, lacking the same degree of intensity and penetration. More sous-bois/tertiary character with a touch of wild hedgerow and even a little mulberry and capsicum. A medium-bodied palate, tertiary personality, good acidity, some oak still unresolved with a bit of a hard landing on the finish. Moderate length. A decent La Mission, workmanlike but austere. This has firmed up over the last few months and should be left 4-5 years. Drink 2012-2020. Tasted May 2008.

– eRobertParker.com, Jul 2008

Neal Martin

93 MS

Mature mahogany red, bricking rim; distinct gravel and candle wax smoke nose, with fresh red fruit behind; a lovely, harmonious mediumweight balance, moderately concentrated, very finely tannic; crisply, juicily ripe to taste, nice length of flavour, a subtle pebbly background and fine, fruit and gravel fragrant length. A lovely La Mission, drinkable with pleasure now, but clearly years of life. Now – 2025+ [M Schuster March 2014]

Michael Schuster

923 WL

Quality 861 | Brand 989 | Economics 948 | buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 14 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 9 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 33 of the world's top wine lists, including The River Café at Brooklyn Economics: Above its peer group average price of £52 for the 2004 vintage Production: Lower production than its peer group average of 92,455 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Wine Lister

90 RP

While La Mission Haut-Brion’s 2004 is not one of this estate’s top successes, it is an outstanding wine, no doubt because of this extraordinary terroir. Deep ruby/purple with notes of lead pencil shavings intermixed with black cherries, cassis, and a hint of scorched earth, medium body, sweet tannin, and a good, but uninspiring finish, this attractive, mid-weight La Mission should age nicely for 15 or more years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #171, Jun 2007)

Wine Advocate

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan