2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Domaine Clarence Dillon

Château La Mission Haut-Brion is among the absolute top wines of Pessac-Léognan and has been part of Domaine Clarence Dillon since 1983. Located directly across from Château Haut-Brion, the château shares the same philosophy but has a distinctly unique style. While Haut-Brion is often seen as aristocratic and restrained, La Mission is known for its richer texture and sensuality. Under the leadership of Jean-Philippe Delmas, the wine is cultivated plot by plot, with a strong focus on balance, precision, and aging potential. More detailed information about the winery and its history can be found under the "Winery" tab.

Pessac-Léognan and the character of La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan stands out within Bordeaux for its complex soils of gravel, sand, clay, and ferruginous rock. This composition ensures excellent drainage and gives the wines their characteristic earthy and smoky notes. La Mission Haut-Brion boasts vineyards that are slightly warmer, which typically contributes to ripeness and concentration.

In cooler years, like 2021, this terroir translates into wines with tension, freshness, and refinement. The proximity of forests and the Atlantic influence temper extremes and ensure even ripening, essential for preserving aromatic complexity.

The 2021 vintage at La Mission Haut-Brion

2021 was a classic and demanding year in Bordeaux. A wet spring and a temperate summer required meticulous vineyard management. At La Mission Haut-Brion, yields remained normal, and strict selection was implemented in the vineyard.

The grapes were harvested between mid-September and early October, spread over several weeks. This phased approach allowed each plot to be harvested at optimal ripeness. Patience was key, and it was rewarded with wines that display finesse rather than power.

Grape variety and blend of the 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion

The 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is composed of 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Merlot provides roundness and a soft texture, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure, freshness, and length. Cabernet Franc brings aromatic tension and refinement to the blend.

This blend underscores the vintage's balance. No single grape dominates, giving the wine a harmonious and layered character that will slowly develop in the bottle.

Vinification and maturation

After manual harvesting, the grapes are carefully fermented in temperature-controlled vats. Extraction is controlled to preserve the fine tannin structure. In 2021, extra attention was paid to precision, given the vintage's natural freshness and lower alcohol content.

The wine is then aged in French oak barrels. The wood supports the wine and contributes to its structure and complexity, without overpowering the fruit. The aging refines the texture and integrates the various components into a cohesive whole.

Color, smell and taste of the 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

In the glass, the wine displays a deep ruby red color. The nose is complex and detailed, with aromas of plum, cassis, and black cherry, complemented by floral notes, licorice, spices, and earthy nuances reminiscent of damp forest floor and truffle.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated yet refined core of fruit. The tannins are velvety and fine-grained, while the acidity creates tension and precision. The finish is long, mineral, and subtly spicy. The wine already presents itself harmoniously, but clearly has room for further development.

Reviews and storage potential

The 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion has received very positive reviews from the international wine press. The Wine Advocate awarded it 95 points. Yohan Castaing praised the complexity, concentration, and velvety tannins, describing the wine as a charming and sensual interpretation of La Mission.

Neal Martin gave the wine a 93-95 rating, emphasizing its restrained, almost reserved style, with the potential to develop further in the long term. Antonio Galloni rated the wine 92-94, describing it as elegant and smaller within the vintage, with beautiful aromatic refinement. The drinking window is roughly between 2027 and 2055, with further aging possible beyond that.

Serving temperature and drinking advice

Serve the 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion preferably at around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. In its youth, the wine benefits from aeration, but true complexity will only reveal itself after several years of bottle aging. This is a wine for lovers of classic Bordeaux, with its tension and nuance.

Would you like to order wines from Château La Mission Haut-Brion online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
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Wine and food pairings with 2021 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Beef tenderloin with red wine sauce and mushrooms
The velvety tannins and earthy notes complement the meat and sauce beautifully.

Leg of lamb with thyme, garlic and roasted vegetables
The spiciness of the dish is supported by the aromatic depth of the wine.

Duck breast with plums and light gravy
The ripe dark fruit in the wine enhances the juicy texture of the duck.

Slow-cooked veal cheeks with carrot and bay leaf
The refined structure of the wine goes well with gently cooked dishes.

Wild ragout with mushrooms and cloves
The earthy and spicy nuances of the wine match perfectly with game.

Matured hard cheeses such as comté or old farm cheese
The wine's length and tension hold up well alongside salty and mature cheeses.