Blackcurrant, scorched earth and toast; blackcurrant and a touch of blackberry liqueur. Shows really good vibrancy and ripe fruit. Should be approachable pretty early on – good promise.
The elegant, medium-bodied, supple-textured, soft, velvety La Chapelle exhibits notes of damp earth, forest floor, raspberry and blueberry fruit. One-third of the production made it into this second wine, which should drink nicely for a decade or more. Drink: 2013 - 2023 Like its bigger sibling, the second wine, the 2012 La Chapelle de la Mission, was the result of a harvest that occurred between September 17 and October 9. (Keep in mind that the micro-climate of Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion is essentially within a highly developed suburb of Bordeaux.)
The La Chapelle is a blend of 28.5% Merlot, 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15.5% Cabernet Franc. The nose is very attractive with lifted cedar and dried herb scents, dusky black fruit and smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with a cedar-infused entry. This is a linear La Chapelle, very fresh in the mouth with a brittle texture towards the edgy finish. Fine. Tasted April 2013.
Features a bright savory note, offering violet, plum and crushed cherry fruit. Presents a lightly stony finish, with the savory edge taking an encore. Shows the herbal side of Cabernet in this vintage. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.
Beautiful fruit with plum and spice with hints of hazelnuts. Lovely tannins and body to this second wine of La MIssion. Balanced.
56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28.5% Merlot, 15.5% Cabernet Franc. Dark lustrous crimson. Something just a little skinny and herbaceous on the nose. Firm and dry on the palate. Very angular and with dry tannins dominating fruit. May always be a little demanding. Though it has the imprimatur of top-quality oak. Drink 2020-2028
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