Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2010

Château La Mission Haut-Brion entered its modern era in 1919 when it was purchased by the Woltner family, who introduced significant innovations including the replacement of traditional oak fermentation vats with glass-lined stainless steel tanks. In 1927 the estate released its first white wine, marking the debut of La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. The Woltners remained owners until 1983, when the property was acquired by Domaine Clarence Dillon, proprietors of neighbouring Château Haut-Brion. Under their stewardship the estate underwent extensive renovation, including vineyard replanting, the construction of a new vat house in 1987, a modern bottling line in 1996 and further cellar upgrades through the 2000s. Today the property is managed by Jean-Philippe Delmas, the third generation of his family to oversee the wines of Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion. The 30.7-hectare vineyard lies on deep gravel soils over clay, sand and chalk, spread across two gently elevated gravel ridges between the Ars and Peugue streams in Pessac-Léognan. Around 27 hectares are planted to red varieties—45.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.8% Merlot and 10.4% Cabernet Franc—while 3.7 hectares are dedicated to white grapes, predominantly Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc. The red wines are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats before ageing for around 22 months in 100% new French oak, with blending taking place shortly after malolactic fermentation to preserve purity of fruit. Production averages 6,000–7,000 cases annually, while the white wine remains far rarer, typically fewer than 1,000 cases per vintage. La Mission Haut-Brion is celebrated for producing powerful, richly structured wines that combine concentration with complex aromatics of smoke, tobacco, earth, truffle and cassis. Often more robust and tannic than its neighbour Haut-Brion, it nonetheless ranks among the finest wines of Pessac-Léognan and is widely regarded as one of Bordeaux’s leading “Super Seconds.” Alongside the grand vin, the estate produces the second wine La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion and the white blend La Clarté de Haut-Brion. Both the red and white wines are renowned for their ageing potential and consistent quality across vintages.