La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan 2010

Fabulous nose of spice, mushrooms, blueberries and blackberries follows through to a full body, with firm tannins and a silky tannins. This is so savory and beautiful. Best second wine ever from La Mission. Give it until 2018 to open, but hard to wait.

Readers looking for a hint of the classic La Mission style could do a lot worse than buying the 2010 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion, a classic wine that offers textbook Pessac smoky tobacco, scorched earth, and sweet red and black fruit-driven aromas and flavors. It's beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, has an elegant, silky mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It clearly has some evolution and is drinking beautifully, but it's not tired or fatigued in any way. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2035.

Made of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2010 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is deep garnet colored and has opulent scents of baked raspberries, Black Forest cake and blueberry tart with hints of star anise, prunes and spice cake. Full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, the palate has a solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

The 2010 La Chapelle de la Mission has a well-defined bouquet with brambly red fruit and undergrowth scents, hints of chai tea and bay leaf emerging with time. This is another Pessac-Léognan with a very pretty nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a crisp bead of acidity. This is well balanced, lightly spiced with and ferrous, persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.