La Mission Haut-Brion 2018 (FUTURES)
$343.93
Critical Acclaim:
“97 – 98 points.
“A tight and linear red with fantastic oyster-shell, iodine and crushed-stone character, complementing the currants and blackberries. Extremely long and fresh.” – James Suckling
“98 – 100 points.
“The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 53.5% Merlot, 42.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.6% Cabernet Franc, harvested September 10 to October 2. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal a beguiling nose of earth and soft-spoken fruit, opening with wild blueberries, wet slate, pencil lead and fresh black cherries giving way to a serious core of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and wild sage, and then exposing delicate wafts of rose hip tea and candied violets. Full-bodied, the palate is very tightly wound and super intense with amazing restraint and energy focused around very firm, exquisitely fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing incredibly long and fantastically multilayered. Extraordinary wine.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“97 points.
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An extremely fine Mission, just beginning to say its piece. It’s dense, gorgeously velvety in texture and bursting with fruit and energy. On the palate you get liquorice and dark chocolate notes, showing clear generosity while easily walking the line of balance. The longer it sits in the glass, the more the minerality takes hold on the mid-palate, doling out its tiny sparks of electricity and holding your attention. The subtle smoke, freshly cut herbs and tight tannins steal up on you, planting their flag in the finish. Harvested 10 September to 2 October, giving a 44hl/ha yield. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. IPT 75.8. The 3.76pH is the highest since 1989.
Drinking Window 2023 – 2032.” Decanter
“95 – 97 points.
“Barrel Sample. While the wine is certainly structured, it has all the finesse and elegance that is associated with this estate. Beautiful berry flavors are packed with acidity but supported by generous tannins. This is impressive and obviously will age well..” – Wine Enthusiast
“97 – 99 points.
“The 2018 La Mission Haut-Brion checks in as 53.5% Merlot, 42.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc that, like the La Chappelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, was harvested between September 10 and October 2. Straight up awesome notes of black raspberries, smoked earth, melted licorice, and tobacco all emerge from this deeply colored 2018, and it develops a beautiful violet and floral quality with time in the glass. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, with subtle background oak and sweet tannins, it’s one sexy yet also seamless 2018 that does everything right.” – Jeb Dunnuck
Critical Acclaim for 2018 vintage:
”At the very peak of quality, the 2018s are mind-blowingly incredible.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“I can tell you that 2018 is an exceptional year for Bordeaux wines.” – James Suckling
“Overall, 2018 is better than 2015 and 2016.” – Wine Spectator
“That special sense of uniqueness shows itself with the 2018 Bordeaux vintage.” – Wine Cellar Insider
