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Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1981 |
Classification | Graves - Cru Classé |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Pessac Leognan |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Country | France |
Château | Château La Mission Haut Brion |
Country | France |
The Château La Mission Haut-Brion, is a vineyard located in Talence in Gironde. Located in AOC Pessac-Léognan, it is classified Grand Cru in the classification of wines of Graves. The estate was bought in 1983 by the Dillon family, owner of Haut Brion. It is undoubtedly this propensity to give everything at once that distinguishes the wines of La Mission Haut-Brion and seduces many tasters. It is also the exacerbated expression of the soil of Graves of Pessac. In the course of its breeding and getting older, the Mission Haut-Brion is always generous, it is committed totally permanently. The hedonistic side of the Mission Haut-Brion and the permanence of these qualities are features that make it very attractive. La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion is the second wine of the domain.
The greatest vintages are : 2000, 1994, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1975, 1964, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1929.
>> See all the Graves grands crus classés
CHÂTEAU BEYCHEVELLE 1981 Magnum
Saint Julien
Sauternes
CHÂTEAU LEOVILLE POYFERRE 1981
Saint Julien
Saint Estèphe
Pessac Leognan
Pauillac
Haut Medoc
Margaux
Pomerol
(07-2015) Dark ruby nuanced colour. I tasted this blind and thought it was really very mature, bone dry, transparent and light – almost austere. Not that intense with notes of graphite. I did think it was a Pessac-Léognan and clearly not from a particularly ripe vintage. The vintage was chosen because it was the year of our marriage.
(01-2008) Much denser colour than the 84, with hints of very ripe, blackcurrant and sweetly vegetal fruit. The incense and camphor character of La Mission comes through. On the palate there is a full, quite rich texture and that ripe fruit still gives mid-palate sweetness. The acidity is nicely edgy, and the tannins now fading into the background , but very delicious.
(08-2012) The 1981 exhibits a more youthful purple hue to its dark plum color than any vintage back to 1970. Somewhat narrowly constructed for a La Mission-Haut-Brion, it reveals plenty of incense, blueberry, black currant and crushed rock notes intertwined with a restrained, smoky character. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and crisp with good concentration as well as a surprising youthfulness. However, the vintage’s deficiencies – a lack of heat and maturity – show up in the wine’s modest power and concentration. The 1981 does not possess the great richness, depth and intensity of the finest vintages, but it is still an outstanding effort that has aged extremely well. It could hold up for another two decades, but there is no point in deferring gratification.
(12-2010) 1981 La Mission Haut Brion offers tobacco, truffle, earth and smoky cassis scents, Soft, supple and fully mature, the wine finishes with light black cherry and cassis flavors. This will not improve. Drink up.
3/5 Information on the vintage 1981 red Bordeaux : A good claret vintage