2017 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc

The 2017 La Mission de Haut Brion Blanc is a Sémillon-dominated blend of 76.2% Sémillon and 23.8% Sauvignon that was harvested between 22nd and 31st of August. It’s another fresh, vibrant white from the vintage that has sensational notes of lemon curd, white flowers, crushed rock, and just a touch of honeyed citrus. It’s medium to full-bodied, clean and elegant, and will drink beautifully for two decades or more.

For me this is the wine of the vintage. Both of the whites in the Haut-Brion stable are exceptionally well sculpted and finessed, but this has the aromatic edge. It has a powerful, intense concentration of flavours, hemmed in by slate walls that make you slow down and inch your way through the palate - and I am more than happy to go as slow as possible. The cool nights over the summer have been very kind to these grapes; they are in full control, with luscious, creamy citrus, passion fruit, nectarine, white pear and touches of lemongrass. It's persistent and mouthwatering, an absolute testament to what white Bordeaux can achieve. 40% new oak. 98-100 points.

Simple lemon and lime fruit on the nose. Piercing, precise and fresh but a light creamy texture and all quite primary though you have the weight and richness of the Sémillon balanced by the crisp Sauvignon Blanc, opening to a waxy richness. Very long. (JH)