2012 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
OVERVIEW
The sheltered, suburban vineyards of Château La Mission Haut-Brion, encroached upon by the growth of the city of Bordeaux, benefitted greatly from this shelter in 2012 as both Haut-Brion and La Mission, traditionally early ripening vineyards, were the standout wines in the region of a tricky vintage.
With a blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, this year's blend created a unique La Mission that is truly a product of its vintage. With close to ten years bottle age, the wines are now entering their drinking window but will improve over the years. A First Growth in all but name and a star within the Cru Classes de Graves, Château La Mission Haut-Brion is considered the best wine in Bordeaux outside the 1855 classification system.
CRITIC REVIEWS
As for the 2012 La Mission Haut Brion, this wine (41% of the total production) continues to perform as it has for nearly a century. At first-growth levels of quality, this is a stunning wine that is full-bodied and very concentrated with notes of graphite, subtle charcoal embers, crème de cassis, blackberry and underlying subtle earthiness. The wine is full and powerful, rich and concentrated. And sure enough, the alcohol level tips the scales at 15% from a blend 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. This is a big, blockbuster La Mission Haut Brion that should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. However, the tannins suggest that this wine should not be touched for another 5-6 years, as its one of the more backward of the 2012 Pessac-Léognans. Bravo! Drink 2020-2060. 97 Points. Robert Parker
Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion showed brilliantly. It has an intense, floral bouquet with rose petals and strawberry preserve, hints of sous-bois and tobacco gently unfolding in the glass, gaining more earthiness as it aerates in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, broad and spicy with hints of bell pepper suggesting high quality Cabernet Franc. It fans out gloriously with a sustained tertiary finish that completes what is a wondrous La Mission Haut-Brion from Jean-Philippe Delmas and his team. Tasted January 2012. 96 Points. Neal Martin
A wine that vibrates with life, generous, juicy, full of momentum and pulsing minerality, ripe red and black fruits, with orange peel, saffron, clove, sage, complex and studded with succulent appeal. Interesting to note the high alcohols, showing even as far back as 2012 its location in the thermal corridor of urban Bordeaux was having an impact, but they are well balanced, adding flesh to the texture rather than heat. 75% new oak. 96 Points. Jane Anson
La Mission is even more impressive than its neighbour and stable mate, Haut-Brion, in
2012. The wine has the second highest proportion of Merlot ever (after 2005) reflecting the vintage conditions. You don't notice the high alcohol here because of the underlying acidity. Leafy, perfumed and complex with structured tannins, cassis, plum and blackberry fruit and remarkable freshness and length. One of the two best Left Bank reds in 2012.
Drink: 2020-45 97 Points. Tim Atkin
FOOD PAIRING INSPIRATION
With the dominate Merlot blend this wine will pair well with traditional Medoc pairings but also right bank too - all manner of meat based dishes will pair well including beef, duck, game and lamb.
VINTAGE AND WINEMAKING
The 2012 vintage was uneven from bud break, which was disturbed by a cool, wet month of April, to véraison which took place over a long period. Fortunately, the months of July and August were perfect: warm and dry. The harvest for both red and white wines began under sunny skies. 2012 was a great vintage particularly for the vineyards of Pessac closest to Bordeaux.
The grapes were hand picked between the 19th September - 9th October from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines and matured in 74% new French oak for 20 months.
PRODUCER NOTES
Once part of the beautiful countryside, now encapsulated by the growth of the city of Bordeaux, La Mission Haut Brion is now in within the confines of the Bordeaux suburb of Talence. La Mission, as it's known to wine lovers, is known as the First Growth that never was with it's neighbour Haut-Brion the only Chateau in the Graves admitted to the 1855 classification. Yet, La Mission vies for international prominence with its neighbour both for the scores of the critics and with its prices on the international market. In 1983, the current owners of Haut Brion purchased La Mission Haut Brion and today; it is Jean Philippe Delmas who's responsible for this property.
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SERVICE AND STORAGE TIPS
The wine should be stored over the longer term at 16-18c. We recommend this wine be brought up to around 16c for service. This temperature more closely resembles cellar conditions and allows the wine to be lifted and have freshness. For such a young wine, if it were served today we would recommend a few hours in a young wine decanter.
DELIVERY INFORMATION
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2012 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
| Wine Card | |
| Wine Producer | Château La Mission Haut-Brion |
| Wine Region | Bordeaux |
| Wine Classification | Pessac Leognan AOC |
| Wine Type | Red |
| Grape Variety |
62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Vintage Quality | Outstanding - Parker |
| Maturity | Drinking Today - Will Improve |
| Body | Mid-Full Bodied |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Alcohol % | 15% |
| Bottle Type | Bordeaux 75cl |
| Serving Temperature | 16-18°C |
| Food Pairing | Roast Lamb |
| Awards | 97 Points - Robert Parker |
| 96 Points - Jane Anson | |
| 96 Points - Neal Martin | |
| 94 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown |
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