CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION

(65 Merlot, 32 Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 Cabernet Franc) There is rather good balance here in spite of the very strict tannins. They are refreshing, not hard, which makes the wine grippingly exciting. A shorter 2 week maceration (as opposed to 3 week) meant that the fruit is tender and the palate shows more finesse. They only pumped-over at the beginning and decreased new oak by 10-20%. This has resulted in vibrant mulberry tones, luscious impact and tart acidity. It is so much livelier and musical than other leaden-footed Pessac-Léognan wines. Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)

65% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Ghostly nose – just an impression of black fruit. Pretty full-on tannins, and more than a dash of leafiness. Very delicately rendered, apart from the pretty firm grip. (RH) Drink 2018-2025. Rating: 16.5 Richard Hemming MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2014)

Superb ruby red, lovely nose of slightly earthy autumn fruits, fine texture, purity and harmony, not robust, almost a feminine La Mission, expressive and sophisticated. Drink: 2018-2030. Rating: 17.75 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2014)

Taut, with a tangy edge to the red currant, damson plum and blackberry notes, framed with plum skin and blood orange accents and backed by a solid roasted apple wood edge on the finish. This has a rather obvious tannic spine but is not woody in feel. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Rating: 90–93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2014)

The 2013 La Mission Haut-Brion is intriguing. At first relatively immediate, the 2013 turns darker and more intensely mineral as it sits in the glass. Plum, black cherry, smoke and licorice wrap around the palate with serious density for the year. Bright, floral notes finesse on the finish. The 2013 captures an attractive combination of power tempered by the understated personality of the year. There is a lot to like here. It will be interesting to see if the 2013 gains depth in elevage. The 2013 is 65% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)

A blend of 65% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between 24 September and 11 October, Jean-Philippe Delmas told me that they finished on a Sunday since the risk of botrytis was so high. The pH is 3.58 with 13.25% alcohol. The first sample at the beginning of primeur was not showing well, the second much better with blackberry, bay leaf and a seaweed scents that becomes increasingly intense. Overall the aromatic profile is not powerful but quite elegant, recalling some of the lighter vintages that I have tasted in the past. The palate is medium-bodied with noticeable acidity on the entry. There is a citric freshness here with lively red cherry and dark plum fruit laced with white pepper. It is a linear La Mission, perhaps missing the peacock’s tail on the finish but composed and refreshing in the mouth. Not a bad wine by a long stretch, but there are plenty of superior La Mission Haut-Brion wines produced in recent years. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)

This unfolds on your palate with an oyster, raspberry and stone character. It slowly opens and builds. Chewy but polished. Reserved LMHB. Rating: 91-92 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)