2004 La Mission Haut Brion

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)

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

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]

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