La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan Rouge 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘Rose, violets and peonies on the nose, with dark chocolate and cassis, smells like liqueur chocolates, perfumed and aromatic. A crystalline quality to the fruit, so driven and pure on the palate. Energetic and lively filled with strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and plum - direct with a vein of exotic spice - cinnamon and clove, as well as touches of orange, bitter grapefruit, dark chocolate and crushed stone. Such a lot going on here, but so well delivered with intensity and direction with racy acidity that keeps everything lifted the whole way through. Lovely minerality on the tongue, the graphite lingering with the juiciness that is still so mouthwatering even on the finish. Compelling and charming. 2027-2050’ – Georgina Hindle, Decanter, 95/100

‘The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion has a very cohesive bouquet, well-defined with minerally red and black fruit, hints of white flowers and a distant tang of black olive. The almost "estuarine" element becomes more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite fresh though not a complex or deep La Mission. It is lifted by the salinity and sustain on the finish—also its typicité. Whilst not a wine from the top drawer, it is a fascinating, engaging Pessac that will drink over the next 20 or 30 years. 2027-2055’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 93/100

‘Lively, juicy and at this stage a little more open than Le Clarence. Acidity evident but not obtrusive. Delicate fruit weight but plenty of energy and drive, the tannins fine and integrated. Balanced. Could improve further if it fills out in the bottle. 2026-2036’ – James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com, 16+/20