Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2011

Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is one of Bordeaux's greatest wines, revered for its extraordinary power, elegance, and longevity. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, graphite, cedar, cigar box, violet, and exotic spice unfold into a concentrated palate with velvety tannins, exceptional depth, and a remarkably persistent finish.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, truffle dishes, or aged Comte for an unforgettable Bordeaux experience.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The small production (4,150 cases) of 2011 Château La Mission Haut-Brion displays the nobility and complexity of this great terroir. Burning embers, scorched earth, blueberry, black currant, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dense ruby-purple-colored wine. With full body (atypical for a 2011), but no hard edges, this opulent, multidimensional, fleshy, rich, stunningly long, well-balanced La Mission is another great achievement in what has been nearly a century of producing remarkable wines from this hallowed vineyard. The 2011 should be reasonably mature in another 4–6 years and last for two decades. It will always be a revelation in a vintage that is unlikely to receive a lot of exciting press. The final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

An impressive wood- and tannin-laden wine, with intense, solid fruit. It’s powerful, very dry and complex.

93 Points - James Suckling

A wine with pretty dark chocolate, berry and currant character. Stones, too. Full-bodied, with chewy but polished tannins and a firm finish. Already showing seashell and iodine notes. Needs at least four or five years to soften. Reminds me of the excellent 1978.

93 Points - Wine Spectator

This sports a pleasantly grippy edge of briar and cassis bush notes, with a densely layered core of dark fig, blackberry and black currant fruit that should move to the fore soon enough. The long, mesquite-tinged finish has solid grip. Best from 2016 through 2030.