2008 Laville Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
The first vintage for this cuvée, the 2008 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is more Semillon-dominated compared to the Sauvignon-dominated Haut-Brion Blanc and checks in as 79% Semillon and 21% Sauvignon. It’s a rich, full-bodied, vibrant effort that has classic Bordeaux Blanc notes of brioche, yellow fruits, dried earth, hay, and dried herbs. It has some maturity, good complexity, a big, rich mid-palate, and plenty of life ahead of it. This is a brilliant white that’s going to shine on the dinner table any time over the coming 15-20 years.
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The 2008 Laville Haut-Brion was the final vintage produced under this label. Despite that, like every other vintage, the 2008 remains stubborn and backward on the nose before deigning us with Conference pear, smoke and light wet wool scents, not unlike a Chenin Blanc! The palate is well balanced, with fine density, an undercurrent of hazelnut and hints of dried pineapple that segue into a gorgeous, again, quite nutty finish. It just needs more time.
The last vintage of Laville Haut-Brion (its name was changed to La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc in 2009) is a blend of 79% Semillon and 21% Sauvignon Blanc revealing lovely lemon blossom, orange marmalade, candle wax, honeysuckle and hints of smoky oak. Full-bodied and capable of lasting 20-25 years, it is a sensational dry white.
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.