1968 La Mission Haut Brion

Ruby with pale rim. Light and a bit severe. Very tart and dry. Propped up by chaptalisation presumably? Not that much worse than 1969 but awfully tart. (JR)

In the fifties, sixties, and seventies, La Mission-Haut-Brion and Latour were the two chateaux that were considered to be one's best gambles in the terrible vintages. With the 1968, La Mission clearly proved its ability to turn out good wines in disastrous years. No vintage had worse climatic conditions than 1968. Yet this 1968 proved to be one of the surprises, even though it's hardly a great wine. A soft, warm, generously fruity, leather-scented bouquet is followed by a wine that is round, alcoholic (no doubt the wine was chaptalized quite a bit), with a velvety, oaky, sweet finish. The wine lacks complexity, but still has fruit, and the high alcohol gives it a generous, warm, pleasant character. For those who might have any, it should be consumed, as it fades in the glass after 3-4 minutes. Anticipated maturity: Now-may be in decline. Last tasted, 1/89.