"A tight, solid red with crushed-berry, sandalwood, stone and cement flavors. It's full-bodied, yet very tight and compact with excellent depth and intensity. Closed and austere, but there's both energy and levity to it at the same time. Try after 2025. " 12/19

"A positively stunning wine, the 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion is all class. Sweet floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness, nuance and energy. Rose petal, mint, blood orange, red cherry, pomegranate and mocha are all laced together. In 2017, La Mission plays very much in the red fruit and floral end of the spectrum. Effortless, gracious and wonderfully nuanced, the 2017 simply has it all. What a wine! " 3/20

The aromatics here are incredible, and there is the most gorgeous density of black brambly fruit on display. It's graceful but intense, and utterly delicious . It doesn't have the same intensity through the palate as the wonderful 2016, but it really does stand out in the vintage as being extremely good quality. It's going to take its time to come round, so settle in for the long haul. 51% of overall crop. 3.86pH." 4/18

Composed of 56% Merlot, 4.4% Cabernet Franc and 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion is a little reticent on the nose to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of crushed blackcurrants, Black Forest cake and Morello cherries with suggestions of cigar box, pencil shavings, charcoal and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity with loads of mineral layers and a rock-solid line of firm, grainy tannins, finishing very long and with great energy." 3/20

This rich, structured wine has bold tannins and generous blackberry flavors. It is firm, showing its dry, tannic side at the moment, hinting at the black fruits to come. It will be a very open, opulent wine as it matures. Drink from 2024.

Checking in as a blend of 56% Merlot, 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc brought up in 68% new French oak, the 2017 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion sports a vivid ruby color to go with a beautifully round, textured, opulent style on the palate that's hard to find in the vintage. Classic notes of unsmoked tobacco, incense, spiced currants, and chocolate all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, has silky tannins, a fresh, classic, balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish.

Solidly built, with a roasted alder frame around a mix of steeped red and black currant, bitter plum and blackberry compote flavors. Lots of sweet tobacco and dried anise notes fill in on the finish, along with a chewy, tarry edge that should meld into the fruit with time. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2038. 7,300 cases made.