Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2001

18+ JANCIS ROBINSON: "More glamorous than Haut Brion. Intense, aromatic, concentrated. Very appealing with lots of layers. Glamorous wine. Chewy finish, but very exotic nose. Lovely wine, though very dry tannins at the end. Elegant structure. Very Merlot." 

96 THE WINEADVOCATE: "Perhaps one of the more overlooked vintages in recent years, the Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2001 is one of the finest wines of the vintage. Here, one is immediately taken aback by the precision exuded by the nose: small dark cherries and orange blossom still there, perhaps the mineralité more heightened than ever. The palate displays exquisite balance with nigh on perfect acidity, demonstrating more tension, if not the dimension of the 1990 tasted alongside. This is a serious La Mission for long-term aging. Tasted June 2014." 

94 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "2001 La Mission Haut Brion opens up with smoke, Cuban cigars, blackberries, hot stones, earth and tar aromas. Supple textures, round tannins and a refined character lead to a rich, silky wine that ends with a long, elegant, deep, smoky dark berry and creme de cassis filled finish. From an assemblage of 62% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, this Pessac Leognan is just starting to open up and offer its delicious charms." 

91-93 ANTONIO GALLONI: "Full ruby-red. Roasted black raspberry, minerals and licorice; at once cool and ripe. Smooth, dense, seamless and sweet, with strong underlying stony minerality and harmonious acidity giving shape to the flavors. A very consistent wine of noteworthy verve. Finishes very long, with the ripe tannins coating the front teeth. This is showing solid structure for a La Mission with 62% merlot."