2017 La Mission Haut Brion

The Grand Vin 2017 La Mission de Haut Brion checks in as 56% Merlot, 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc. It’s a deep ruby/purple-colored 2017 that has a beautifully sweet bouquet of cassis, black cherries, graphite, and tobacco. With medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, sexy texture, sweet tannin, and terrific finesse and elegance, it’s much more upfront and approachable than its Haut Brion sibling and will be drinkable at an earlier age.

The aromatics here are incredible, and there is the most gorgeous density of black brambly fruit on display. It's graceful but intense, and utterly delicious . It doesn't have the same intensity through the palate as the wonderful 2016, but it really does stand out in the vintage as being extremely good quality. It's going to take its time to come round, so settle in for the long haul. 51% of overall crop. 3.86pH.

Deep cassis colour. Gorgeous restraint of fine dusty dark fruit. Definite graphite/mineral aroma undergirded by fragrant cassis and a light herbaceous note. Delicious pure black fruit, super-fine texture, the tannins fine and supple. Juicy even with its serious elegance. Succulent, long and precisely balanced. Persistent, too. Intensity without weight. All waiting in the wings. On second tasting, the oak shows a little more on the finish but it is in place, not dominating. (JH)