Château La Mission Haut-Brion

History of Château La Mission Haut-Brion  

Founded in the 16th century, Château La Mission Haut-Brion possesses a rich and captivating history. The estate came into being with the de Lestonnac family, but takes its name from the congregation of Lazarist priests who settled on these lands in 1682. These priests, members of the Congregation of the Mission, played a decisive role in expanding the vineyard and establishing the wine's reputation, notably through the construction of a chapel in 1698.  

Despite turbulent periods such as the French Revolution, the estate survived and passed through the centuries, changing hands several times. In the 19th century, Château La Mission Haut-Brion gained renown under the stewardship of the Chiapella family, wealthy New Orleans merchants who exported the wine to America. In 1983, the estate was acquired by the Dillon family, owners of the prestigious Château Haut-Brion. Since this acquisition, both properties have benefited from the same winemaking techniques while retaining their distinct identities.  

The 1982, 2005, 1961, 2000, 1989, 1959, 2009, 1955 and 2020 vintages of Château La Mission Haut-Brion Grand Cru Classé de Graves achieve perfection with 100/100 from Robert Parker. The 2010, 2018 and 2019 vintages follow with 99/100, confirming the renown of this fine wine from Pessac-Léognan.

Terroirs and Vines of Château La Mission Haut-Brion  

The vineyard of Château La Mission Haut-Brion spans approximately 29 hectares, planted predominantly with red grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) and a smaller portion of white grape varieties (Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc).  

Located in the communes of Pessac and Talence, the terroir is composed of deep graves, made up of small pebbles formed from various varieties of quartz, resting on subsoils of clay, sand and shelly limestone (faluns). This unique composition promotes optimal drainage and ideal exposure, ensuring perfect ripening conditions for the vines. The diversity of soils, ranging from gentle slopes to higher ridges, allows the grapes to develop distinct organoleptic characteristics.  

The graves, combined with a temperate climate, provide an ideal environment for cultivating red grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which benefit from a well-balanced tannic structure. As for the white grape varieties, Sémillon develops a marked aromatic complexity here.

Winemaking at Château La Mission Haut-Brion  

Winemaking at Château La Mission Haut-Brion is a highly meticulous process, based on modern techniques and traditional methods. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes. Once harvested, the grapes are transferred to the winery for precisely controlled fermentation.

Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, where the wines develop their full aromatic intensity. For the red wines, the maceration process lasts approximately two weeks, allowing the tannins and aromas to be fully extracted from the skins. After fermentation, the wines are racked and aged in French oak barrels, with the proportion of new wood varying according to the vintage. Ageing lasts between 18 and 22 months for the reds, in order to refine the structure and enhance the aromas.

For the white wines, such as Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, the grapes are gently pressed and fermentation takes place in new barrels, without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve the freshness and purity of the fruit. The ageing lasts between 13 and 16 months, imparting remarkable complexity and finesse to the wine.

The cuvées of Château La Mission Haut-Brion  

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Rouge is one of the most prestigious wines of Pessac-Léognan. Powerful, dense and structured, it offers exceptional complexity with aromas of red fruit, cedar, tobacco and the smoky notes typical of Graves wines. This wine has an impressive ageing capacity and blossoms with time, developing a velvety texture and a remarkable tannic length. Recent vintages, such as the 2020, bear witness to an exuberant and voluptuous profile, with enveloping tannins and great aromatic richness.

Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc  

Formerly known as Château Laville Haut-Brion, this dry white wine is a true gem for lovers of great Graves wines. Crafted from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, it presents a perfect balance between richness, freshness and complexity. Its aromatic palette evolves with age, moving from citrus and white flowers to deeper notes of honey and dried fruit. Very few bottles are produced each year, making this wine a rare and sought-after product.

La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion  

La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is the estate's second wine. Crafted from the same grape varieties as the Fine Wine, it offers an excellent introduction to the world of Château La Mission Haut-Brion. Although more approachable in its youth, this wine is no less complex, with aromas of ripe fruit, spices and a fine tannic structure. It is a wine of great depth, perfect for discovering the finesse of the estate's wines at a more affordable price.

La Clarté de Haut-Brion  

La Clarté de Haut-Brion is a rare white wine, born from the collaboration between Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion. Crafted primarily from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this wine stands out for its freshness and elegance. On the palate, it reveals aromas of exotic fruit, candied lemon and white flowers, with an ample texture and a beautiful persistence. This wine represents a fine alternative to the estate's great whites, while maintaining the same meticulous attention in its production.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic benchmark. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you will be able to discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine lovers may turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.

Château La Mission Haut-Brion is far more than a wine estate: it is a place where tradition and innovation come together to create exceptional wines. Whether through its powerful and refined reds or its whites of rare elegance, this estate perpetuates a long history of excellence. The attention paid to the terroirs, grape varieties and winemaking techniques guarantees wines capable of spanning decades while delivering unrivalled pleasures at every tasting. To purchase a wine from Château La Mission Haut-Brion is to acquire a piece of history and a unique gustatory experience.