Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2010

This is crazy. The nose is so unique with the iodine, stones and currant aromas with wet earth and mushroom. Aromas like this don't usually come out until 10 years or so in the bottle. Classic nose for this estate. Full-bodied, with an amazing palate of firm yet polished tannins and a solid palate. So dense and gorgeous. It is really stunning. Try in 2020.

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion has a commanding, profound nose of baked blackberries, boysenberries and warm cassis plus suggestions of candied violets, red roses, chocolate box, cedar chest and smoked meats with a waft of iron ore. Full-bodied, powerful and hedonic, the palate bursts with expressive black fruits and floral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing with epic length. A real head-turner, this beauty is already very impressive, but for that full WOW experience I would give it another 3-5 years in bottle to blossom.

Quintessential Graves notes of smoked tobacco, scorched earth, truffle, and lead pencil shavings backed by an incredible core of darker fruits all define the 2010 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, a ripe, broad, voluptuous beauty that continues to drink amazingly well. This powerful, full-bodied, deep, layered wine builds with time in the glass, has sensational purity, ripe, polished tannins, and a heavenly finish. It might ultimately match the 1982, and despite the more structured style of the vintage, it's ripe, sexy, and impossible to resist. Drink bottles over the coming 50 years. Drink 2026-2076.

Vibrates with life, still barely unfurling at 14 years old, with evident muscular construction to the tannic frame. A little subdued on the first nose, quickly opening to show notes of black pepper, cinnamon and black truffle alongside liquorice, baked raspberries and blueberry fruits, concentrated, vivid and sculpted, architectural as all the best 2010s are. Drawn out finish, riven with spiced cocoa beans and pulses of fresh acidity, and the drumbeat of interest is going to keep playing for decades. 75% new oak for ageing, harvest September 8 to October 8.

Even though the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion was poured at the château, Jean-Philippe Delmas had to call for a second bottle as the first was clearly out of sorts. That second is magnificent. Brilliant delineation and almost overwhelming with intensity on the nose, there are layers of black fruit, pencil lead and a strong marine influence with hints of Japanese nori. The palate has a wonderful backbone and more precision than the Haut-Brion, with a persistent, captivating finish. It will need time. Tasted at the château.