Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2012

The vineyard of Château La Mission Haut-Brion owes its name and its historic reputation to the Congregation of the Mission, or “Lazarists,” founded in the 17th century by Saint Vincent de Paul. These vines, planted as early as the Middle Ages, were bequeathed to them by the heirs of Madame Olive de Lestonnac. The Good Fathers developed and enhanced the estate with great care, and within less than a century, they created one of the greatest wines of the region. In the 19th century, a family from Louisiana, the Chiapella, continued the work of the missionaries, and the Mission became known worldwide. The jury of the 1862 London World’s Fair, making a very accurate assessment of the wines from Château La Mission Haut-Brion, awarded them the Gold Medal. Between 1919 and 1983, the Woltner family further enhanced the reputation of the estate. La Mission Haut-Brion is currently one of the flagship estates of Domaine Clarence Dillon, which has completely renovated the château and built high-tech facilities. Before entering the Chai, a true “cathedral of wine,” visitors are now welcomed in a cloister near the small chapel of Notre-Dame d’Aubrion, built at the end of the 17th century. Many people today consider Château La Mission Haut-Brion to be a sixth Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855. Starting with the 2006 vintage, the vineyard of Château La Tour Haut-Brion, a Cru Classé of Graves, has been incorporated into that of Château La Mission Haut-Brion. With the 2009 vintage, Château Laville Haut-Brion, a Cru Classé of Graves, took back the name it had during the 1927 to 1930 vintages, Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc.

“Continuing to show brilliantly, the 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion is a quintessential Graves, boasting a deep purple color as well as heavenly aromatics of blackcurrants, tobacco, scorched earth, graphite, and licorice. It’s a big, full-bodied beauty yet has a weightless, elegant style, building tannins, and a great finish. It needs a solid hour in a decanter if drinking today and promises to evolve beautifully for another 3-4 decades.” - 97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“This is closed up, dry and tough on the outside. But you can feel the rich weight and the dark tannins along with the powerful structure. That makes this wine both replete with a firm character and also full of generous, concentrated black fruits. It’s a powerful wine, ready for good aging; drink from 2022.” - 96 Points, Wine Enthusiast

“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, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate  

Producer: Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Appellation: Pessac-Léognan

Vintage: 2012

Size: 750ml