1977 La Mission Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The 1977 La Mission Haut-Brion must surely represent one of the best wines of a poor vintage. It displays a dark garnet core with a tawny rim and offers surprisingly intense aromatics, featuring diffuse red fruit tinged with spearmint, stewed beef and iodine notes (quite Burgundian). The palate possesses decent weight and feels quite rigid in the mouth, leading to a savory, Bandol-like finish. As good as you could get in 1977. This example came from the estate, so I imagine most bottles will be in decline. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Mid tawny, light, old fashioned nose. So light and ‘classic’ – slightly propped up by added sugar and obvious acid but nostalgic.... Very tough dry tannins. (JR)
While this wine tasted highly chaptalized and extremely herbaceous, I was somewhat surprised that it was still palatable and, in its own way, easy to drink. There is no question that the wine is slightly too vegetal, but it is soft and fully mature, and for those who have any cellared, it should be consumed. Anticipated maturity: Now. 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.