CHÂTEAU LA MISSION HAUT BRION

This is 58% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yield 48 hl/ha. An impressive, dense, slightly roasted character, dark and freshly perfumed, with dried cherry fruit and violets. The palate slowly builds, starting cool, leading to some creamed cherry fruits, a velvety texture, laced with black pepper, toasted almond, cocoa bean with lovely depth, fine purity of fruit and a little roasted nuance. Not too much of the floral side here at the moment, but great potential, thanks to a carpet of ripe and polished tannins. A really convincing frame of tannin at the finish. An impressive wine, but it seems a little more solid and less elegant then the corresponding Haut-Brion, and some other vintages of La Mission Haut-Brion. That doesn't lessen its potential for the cellar though, which is plainly excellent. Rating: 17-18/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2016)

In 2015, La Mission Haut-Brion is translucent and deeply expressive to the core. Remarkably polished for such a young wine, the 2015 also handles its 15% alcohol with grace. Smoke, graphite, tar, leather and incense, the 2015 exudes intensity allied to freshness, a combination that makes it virtually irresistible in my book. The 2015 is also remarkably nuanced for such a big wine, but it has tremendous persistence in all directions. Scents of rose petal, mint, red cherry and pomegranate meld into the voluptuous finish. Rating: 94-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2016)

The 2015 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 9 September and 1 October. Matured in 78% new oak, it has an incredibly pure bouquet with intense blueberry, blackberry, iodine and cold stone aromas that soar from the glass. There is nothing holding back here - a La Mission with real exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with incredible intensity in the mouth, but without any leaden weight. It is a startling La Mission Haut-Brion to behold at this early stage. It is one of those wines where as a professional critic, I had to adopt a poker face to hide the untrammeled joy this nascent wine imparts. Complete and profound, the 2015 will rank as one of the great modern-day classics from this grand estate, another to add to that long list of magical La Missions. Drinking range: 2030 - 2066 Rating: 97-99 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2016)

The purity in this wine is really mindblowing. So perfect. Licorice. Stone. Blackberry, blueberry. Full body. The power is amazing. But then it finishes etheral and so agile and beautiful. I am lost for words. This will rank with the best ever from here including 1975 and 1929. 58% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc. Rating: 100 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Mar 2016)