“A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2009 La Mission-Haut-Brion stood out as one of the most exceptional young wines I had ever tasted from barrel, and its greatness has been confirmed in the bottle. A remarkable effort from the Dillon family, this is another large-scaled La Mission that tips the scales at 15% alcohol.

A blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (47% of each) and the rest Cabernet Franc, it exhibits an opaque purple color as well as a magnificent bouquet of truffles, scorched earth, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, subtle smoke and spring flowers. the wine’s remarkable concentration offers up an unctuous/viscous texture, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, sweet, sumptuous, nearly over-the-top flavors and massive density.

Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime La Mission-Haut-Brion, the 2009 will take its place alongside the many great wines made here since the early 1920s. The good news is that there are nearly 6,000 cases of the 2009. It should last for 50-75+ years. Given the wine’s unctuosity and sweetness of the tannin, I would have no problem drinking it in about 5-6 years.”

~ Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Tasting Notes

Colour: Very deep red-purple
Aroma: The nose is intense, with plenty of character with dark tar, espresso and chocolate up front, backed by dense layers of fig sauce, currant reduction and smoldering black tea leaves.
Palate: A bewitching wine, from beginning to end of the end of the tasting experience! This rich and utterly delicious wine spreads out beautifully on the palate. The tannin is smooth and sweet. 2009 La Mission Haut-Brion inevitably reminds tasters of one of the estate’s finest successes: the 2000 vintage. The concentration, class, and balance between power and freshness are the hallmarks of both 2000 and 2009. However, 2009 has greater conentration, as well as another dimension and even stronger sensations. 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion is already mythical.
Grape Varieties: 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc
Awards: 100pts – Wine Advocate-Parker, 97pts Wine Enthusiast, 97pts James Suckling, 96pts Wine Spectator

History of Château Haut-Brion

Château Haut-Brion is the oldest of Bordeaux’s five first growths, and one of the most famous wines in the world. Located in Pessac-Léognan, south of the city of Bordeaux, the château is rather far removed from its counterparts, all of which are found in the Médoc.The Haut-Brion cuvée tends to have more Merlot than the wines from the Medoc, with Cabernet Sauvignon in more of a supporting role. As such, Haut-Brion is more rounded and softer than other Left Bank wines. The château describes the wine as having an empyreumatic bouquet.

The vineyard is planted to 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. A stunning white wine is also made, from a part of the vineyard which is 63% Semillon and 37% Sauvignon Blanc. Production is smaller than at the other First Growth Wines, totalling about 20,000 cases, shared between the Grand Vin and a second wine, formerly called Bahans-Haut-Brion but changed in 2007 to Clarence de Haut-Brion in recognition of Clarence Dillon.

Production of Haut Brion Blanc is minute, less than 800 cases in most years. Beginning with the 2009 vintage a new white wine was introduced in the place of Clarence: La Clarté de Haut-Brion, the offspring of Domaine Clarence Dillon’s two prestigious white wines: Château Haut-Brion Blanc and Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc.

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