2022, Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, PESSAC-LEOGNAN Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Bordeaux Blend: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc

The rare dry white wine from La Mission Haut-Brion is made by the same team as Haut-Brion Blanc. It used to be known as Laville Haut Brion but changed its name in 2009. The 2022 is 72% semillon and 28% sauvignon blanc.

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc contains much more Sémillon (72%) this year due to its quality according to Jean-Philippe Delmas. It has a perfumed bouquet with white peach, honeysuckle, red apple and light candle wax. Superb delineation. The palate is taut and linear, chalky in texture with good tension. It shows quite impressive weight, perhaps more than the Haut-Brion Blanc with a dab of ginger enlivening the finish. Superb. 94-96 Neal Martin, Vinous.

So much oyster shell here with a chalk, stone character, as well as dried lemons and sliced white peaches and pears. It’s medium to full body with lovely fruit and a flavorful finish. Bitter lemon as well. 96-97 James Suckling.

Crisp, crunchy, juicy, lively and filling, this has an excellent energy and tang to it while still keeping a balanced weight and cool freshness at the end. Not at all showy, very relaxed, generous and fun. I really like this, giving just enough juicy and creamy lemon, apricot and peach fruit and bitter citrus peel to be really interesting. Long, great persistence and detail. This will be great to drink and enjoy young. 96 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.

This is an extremely impressive white that has high levels of Sémillon in the blend this year, helped by old vines that resisted the heat well. Gorgeous construction and balance, with precision-cut citrus, bitter almond, slate, dill, white pepper spice, a juicy grip through the palate and noble bitterness bringing things to a close. 96 Jane Anson.

Drinking Window: 2030 - 2060