La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2019 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Not very colorful, a bit too soft but full-bodied and very pleasant. Still, one expects more from a second wine from Mission, especially at this price. Clarence is closer to the grand style characteristic of the Dillon vineyards.

About the estate:

While awaiting its new facilities—much like its larger counterpart, Haut-Brion—Mission continues to delight us with its velvety, wonderfully complex wine, a superb expression of Merlot grown on deep gravel soils (often accounting for more than 50% of the blend) and an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that we dream of one day tasting on its own! The Sémillon-dominated white wine remains unrivaled in Bordeaux in terms of aromatic nobility and complexity.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Separated from Château Haut-Brion only by Route Nationale 250 and united with it since 1983 as part of the Clarence Dillon estates, this vineyard stands out for its history. This history is linked to the powerful de Lestonnac family until 1682, and then, until the Revolution, to the Lazarist Fathers of Saint-Vincent, who recognized the remarkable qualities of its gravelly terroir, now planted with 29 hectares of vines, including 3.6 hectares of white grapes.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

The estate has a gravelly terroir, slightly richer than that of Haut-Brion, which lies directly across from it. If one were to define the distinctive character of this famous wine based on the vintages tasted, one would say that it bears a striking resemblance to Château Haut-Brion. It possesses the same qualities of suppleness and smoothness (which in no way prevent long and glorious aging in the bottle), as well as the same highly distinctive smoky bouquet. Its profile on the palate, however, is quite different: softer, deeper as a young wine, and more charming, as it is easier to appreciate from its earliest years. With age, La Mission yields to Haut-Brion in terms of stylistic complexity and pure finesse, but surpasses its neighbor in the voluptuousness of its texture. As you can see, these two cousins, vinified by the same team with the same exacting standards, are perfect reflections of their distinct terroirs and grape variety selections.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Wonderfully fragrant with notes of violet and raspberry that carry through to a medium-bodied palate. Full-bodied with fully integrated tannins that are firm and well-balanced. You can hardly "taste" the tannins, but you can feel them. Best after 2025, but already so lovely.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

A subtle, floral profile with hints of peony, black pepper, and blackcurrant. The tannins are firm, well-integrated, and in harmony with the wine’s fresh structure. A fruity finish with good length. A serious wine that deserves some time to age. 2024–2037