In the vineyard
Since the Dillon family took over in 1983, the vineyards have been totally replanted. The vines are now an average of 30 years old. The high vine density (10,000 vines per hectare) is conducive to intense wines whose hallmark is their unique charm.
Haut-Brion stands for hillock and the vineyards of both Haut-Brion and Mission Haut-Brion are planted on these raised hillocks (up to 25 meters at their highest point) with distinct Gunzian gravel soils giving the wines good drainage and exposition, as well as retaining the typicity of the aromatic complexity consistent with the Pessac-Léognan region.
There are 30.7 hectares in total, with 27 dedicated to red grapes and 3.7 to white. There are roughly equal proprtions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with 10% Cabernet Franc, while for the whites there is over 60% Semillon, with the remainder dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc.
The vines at La Mission Haut-Brion run north to south and therefore more exposed to the sun. La Mission Haut-Brion is therefore more concentrated, has more intensity of flavour and typically riper fruit character compared with Haut-Brion.
Ch. La Mission Haut-Brion is typically among the first to harvest in Bordeaux, picking their Merlot before others due to the specific microclimate and exposition of the vines. They typically start to pick the Merlot at the end of August/beginning of September, benefiting from the warmer summer months and avoiding the risk of wetter weather in the latter part of September.
In the winery
The red is fermented in stainless steel and aged in 100% new oak for 18-20 months. For the white, the fruit is harvested in the cool of the early morning, sorted, whole-bunch pressed and then the must fermented in 100% new oak.
There is no malolactic fermentation or stirring of the lees, and the wine spends 13-16 months in barrel, depending on the vintage.
A new, ultra-modern vat house was opened to mark the 1987 vintage, followed by significant renovations to the château, chapel and cellars. In 1996, a new bottling chain was introduced and a new tasting room was built, christened the Chapter Room, in honour of the Lazarists (Congregation of the Mission).
In 2007, new cellars were built, plus a tasting room sculpted by the best Italian woodworkers, which now features original engravings by Albrecht Dürer, plus a bottling centre and an improved storage area.
However, the jewel in the crown of this major renovation project is a vibrant new tribute to the Lazarist brothers. Returning to the Frontenac quarries – which in the 18th century supplied the stone for the most beautiful monuments in Bordeaux – the estate chose this material to build the Grand Chai, described as a “modern cathedral to wine".
The winemaking team is exactly the same at both Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. The winemaking team at Haut-Brion has in fact been within the same family for three generations, going back to 1923. Since 1988 the same team of three – Jean-Philippe Delmas, Jean-Philippe Masclef (Technical Director) and Pascal Baratié (Vineyard Manager) – have been making the wines at both properties providing a very consistent style across both Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion.
