De schoonheid van La Mission Haut Brion 2015 gaat door merg en been en is één van de hoogtepunten van 2015. Dit vineus equivalent van de Venus van Milo of la Victoire de Samothrace verbluft met een immense, zo zuivere en intense neus, gevolgd door allesomvattende tannine, onwezenlijk evenwicht en grenzeloze densiteit in de mond; massa’s rood fruit hobbelen op de tong en veroveren uw wezen van kop tot krullende tenen. De perfect versmolten eiktoetsen doen deze exuberante schoonheid irradiëren. De opbouw van alle sensaties is grandioos in zuiverheid en precisie. Statuesque. Fenomenale wijn en volgens mij, moeilijk te overtreffen.
IN DE PERS
98 Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate - robertparker.com (Maart 2018) 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. Throughout its barrel maturation it has clearly retained that purity of fruit with copious blackberry and blueberry scents, that cold stone/cave-like element perhaps more accentuated now that the wine is in bottle. The palate is very well balanced with firm tannin that provides a solid backbone to this La Mission. It is already a complex and intellectual wine with layers of black fruit infused with black olive tapenade, hints of seaweed and white pepper, fresh and tensile from start to finish with a persistent finish that seems to go on for over 60 seconds. As I remarked during en primeur, the 2015 will rank among the canon of great wines from this estate. I can now rubber-stamp that statement. Anticipated maturity: 2025 - 2060.
97-99 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #224 – erobertparker.com (April 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. Drink: 2030-2070.
100 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Februari 2018)
100 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 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 7% Cabernet Franc.
96+ Antonio Galloni - vinous.com (Februari 2018) The 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion is every bit the wine I had hoped it would be. Rich, dramatic and powerful, it exudes intensity in all of its many dimensions. Naturally, the aromatics that make La Mission so compelling have not even begun to develop. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2015 for at least a decade, although I suspect the wine won't be ready to drink before age 20, as it clearly needs to shed some baby fat. A heady mélange of black cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and tobacco builds into the dramatic, deeply expressive finish. Drink 2025-2065.
94-97 Antonio Galloni – Vinous - vinous.com (April 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. Tasted two times.
98 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate - robertparker.com (Februari 2018) The deep garnet-purple colored 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion is a blend of 58% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Youthfully mute with bright, youthful red currants, black raspberries, cassis and freshly crushed blackberries notions, it slowly unfurls to reveal an earthy/minerally undercurrent of damp soil, charcoal, iron ore and truffles plus a waft of violets. Medium to full-bodied, decadently fruited and yet wonderfully elegant with very ripe, very silky tannins, freshness that sits well in the background and an almost electric intensity of vibrant red and black fruit flavors, it finishes long and minerally. Just. Beautiful. Consider giving it 6-7 years in bottle before broaching and drink it over the next 30+. Drink 2014-2055.
18/20 Jancis Robinson – jancisrobinson.com (April 2016) 58% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Picked from 9 September to 1 October. Very dark and glamorous-looking. Fairly dumb nose but obviously great weight and intensity. A big brooding monster! Massive charge of tannins. Big and pretty alcoholic on the end. Not very communicative at the moment. Lots of palate-tanning tannins. After a while in the glass, a whiff of cordite emerged. Sorcery?! 15.1%. Drink: 2030-2050.
96 Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine – decanter.com (April 2016) Taut and tense from the off: coffee, smoky almond and pulsing with vibrancy and energy. Reservations over the high alcohol at 15.1%abv but 3.74pH means you barely feel it. Such beautiful tannic grip and sense of forward motion, showing great ageing potential. Beautiful length of damson and loganberry fruits and fragrant heather and garden herbs. Lovely texture, structured and tannic hold. 78% new oak. Drink: 2026-2040.
98 Jeb Dunnuck – jebdunnuck.com (Februari 2018)
19/20 René Gabriel – Wein Wisser (April 2016)
96 Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast winemag.com (Februari 2018) This wine, rich and opulent, defines the terroir of this estate. It has a rich, dense character, powerful and concentrated. The juicy black fruits enhance the impression of generosity as well as concentration. Drink from 2027.
96-98 Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast (April 2016)
18-18,5/20 Bettane & Desseauve (April 2016)
18,5/20 Jean-Marc Quarin – quarin.com (April 2016)
19-20/20 Revue des Vins de France (April 2016)
16/20 Jacques Dupont - Le Point (April 2016)
96 Tim Atkin – timatkin.com (April 2016) Marking a huge contrast with the cooler, more graceful 2014 (which I prefer), this is a muscular, even monumental red: tannic, concentrated and a little pruney. It teeters on the edge of excess, but it is pulled back by its acidity. I will watch how it ages with interest. Drink: 2025-2035. |