2022 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc
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Tasting Notes
There is great tension on the nose here, yet good depth as well. On the palate, this is striking with such complexity, and the finish is a showstopper – with the wine just continuing to build with layer upon layer of flavour, and lasting long after you’ve spat it out. There’s a nice almond-like character that underlines the fruit. This is built to age and really good. Blend: 72% Semillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc
Critic Scores
Average Score
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Anjou pears, green apples, white flowers, honeysuckle, lemon curd, vanilla, and orange peel create the complex nose. The palate picks up where the nose leaves off with its yellow citrus, pineapple, spice, and tangerine accents. The finish balances its sweet, juicy citrus with freshness. Made from a blend of 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc, picking took place September 3, finishing September 10. 14.3% ABV, 3.3 pH.
The 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is mostly Sémillon (72%), and compared to its big brother, the Haut-Brion Blanc, it's more closed and inward, with classic Sémillon power and richness. Ripe melon, white flowers, honeyed minerality, and chalky notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a great mid-palate and outstanding length. It's a downright mineral bomb on the finish and is a brilliant white in the making.
The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is incredibly tightly wound, especially for the year and considering its heavy Semillon tilt in the blend. It will be interesting to see where this goes. There’s tremendous depth here and also a phenolic-like feel that is impossible to escape. My impression is that there is a lot of wine here, but it needs time to come together.
About the producer
Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion – sister estate of Ch. Haut-Brion and part of the Clarence Dillon stable – is one of the greatest estates in all of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac-Léognan but not officially classified, it produces outstanding red and white wines.