1995 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
Ripe black fruits, smoky tobacco, scorched earth, and graphite define the 1995 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, though it's tight and closed on opening with an almost austere edge that gives way to ample density and depth once it blossoms with air. It actually reminds me a little of the 2000 with its backward yet incredibly promising style. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has moderate acidity, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. If drinking any time soon, give it a solid hour in a decanter, and after following this bottle for an evening, I'm convinced (or say, optimistically hopeful) it will turn into something truly spectacular. It can certainly be a little worrying to have a 30-year-old wine still need additional age, but so be it. I suspect it should be fully in prime time in 5-7 years and has another 30-40 years of overall longevity. Drink 2031-2056.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Ex-château. 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. Pale ruby rim on a deep crimson core. Lovely sweetness. Unlike so many Missions, I’d almost describe this as light and pretty! Really lively with some stoniness and a saline note on the end. Impressive length of savoury flavour. (JR)
After the modest success of the previous year, one would expect the 1995 La Mission Haut-Brion to show better. But there has always been something "flightless" about this wine – it's just never taken off. The nose offers lightly gamy black fruit tinged with tobacco and light sage aromas, but feels static. The palate is more stern than you would expect, masculine and hard-textured. There is very good depth, yet this lacks charm toward the soft finish. There is a pleasant meaty character on the aftertaste, but it's just too late to elevate this par-for-the-course La Mission. Tasted at a private dinner in Hong Kong.
About the producer
Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion – sister estate of Ch. Haut-Brion and part of the Clarence Dillon stable – is one of the greatest estates in all of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac-Léognan but not officially classified, it produces outstanding red and white wines.