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Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011
$342.00
Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2011
$342.00
Pessac-Léognan
2011
34% Merlot
55% Cabernet Sauvignon
11% Cabernet Franc
Region: Bordeaux
ESTATE HISTORY
La Mission Haut-Brion is the sister property of the First Growth Château Haut-Brion.
The Dillon family purchased the estate in 1983 and immediately set to work on an ambitious renovation program for the property, including a number of technical enhancements designed to preserve and perpetuate its exceptional terroir as well as other embellishments, while taking care not to interfere with the special aura, charm and spirituality inhabiting the place.
TERROIR
The terroir of Château La Mission Haut-Brion is linked profoundly to Château Haut-Brion’s and so are the histories of these two estates. Separated only by the road that goes from Pessac to Talence, in the heart of the Graves appellation, the two properties stand facing one another like twin sisters, extremely close, yet so very different.
The gravel, comprised of small pebbles formed of various types of quartz, is a key element contributing to the particularly valuable potential of Château La Mission Haut-Brion’s winegrowing soil. The gravelly soil lies upon a unique subsoil of clay, sand, limestone and shelly sand, formed at the end of the Tertiary era and then during the Quaternary era, throughout the ice age.
VITICULTURE
Sustainable farming practices
The protection of the environment is an ancient practice rooted in the preservation of the terroir, which has been passed down from generation to generation.
WINEMAKING
The best wines are selected for the blend of Château La Mission Haut-Brion red and are matured in barrels for 18 to 20 months.
TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS
Very deep, dark red colour with mauve highlights.
The intense nose has opened up to reveal hints of black cherry and blackberry as well as spice.
The bouquet is very “La Mission”. The wine starts out broad-based, soft, and tasty.
It then spreads out seamlessly with a show of powerful tannin and a creamy middle palate.
The tight tannic structure on the finish is supported by a very fine aromatic persistence.
Once again, La Mission Haut-Brion is very open at this stage, *very expressive, and quite obviously a great wine.
The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The long 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4-6 years, and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press.
Best served with rich and heavy steaks, grilled and roast lamb, aged Parmesan.
Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.