1968 La Mission Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The 1968 La Mission Haut-Brion is a forgotten vintage which I only encountered once before. A second bottle, actually bought in Bordeaux, replicated that original dismal showing: a dusty bouquet, vestiges of black fruit and an odd hickory scent. The palate is broad-shouldered, rather green with a dry and astringent finish. It might have given pleasure in the early 1970s but nowadays, any bottles should be consumed or exist for completists. Domaine de Chevalier '68 shows better. Tasted in Bordeaux.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Ruby with pale rim. Light and a bit severe. Very tart and dry. Propped up by chaptalisation presumably? Not that much worse than 1969 but awfully tart. (JR)
In the fifties, sixties, and seventies, La Mission-Haut-Brion and Latour were the two chateaux that were considered to be one's best gambles in the terrible vintages. With the 1968, La Mission clearly proved its ability to turn out good wines in disastrous years. No vintage had worse climatic conditions than 1968. Yet this 1968 proved to be one of the surprises, even though it's hardly a great wine. A soft, warm, generously fruity, leather-scented bouquet is followed by a wine that is round, alcoholic (no doubt the wine was chaptalized quite a bit), with a velvety, oaky, sweet finish. The wine lacks complexity, but still has fruit, and the high alcohol gives it a generous, warm, pleasant character. For those who might have any, it should be consumed, as it fades in the glass after 3-4 minutes. Anticipated maturity: Now-may be in decline. Last tasted, 1/89.
About the producer
Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion – sister estate of Ch. Haut-Brion and part of the Clarence Dillon stable – is one of the greatest estates in all of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac-Léognan but not officially classified, it produces outstanding red and white wines.