2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion (Laville) Blanc

The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has perhaps the most nuanced and delineated bouquet amongst the dry white Bordeaux, the oak deftly integrated, though there are no fireworks in the sky. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, commendable purity of fruit, lightly spiced, with a cohesive finish that gently fans out. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

The 2022 Blanc from La Mission Haut-Brion is showing very well in the bottle and gains flesh and structure during its élevage. Revealing a lively, gourmand, vibrant bouquet of white fruits, pear, spices and spring flowers, it's full-bodied, round and generous with a fleshy core of fruit (attributed to the 72% of Sémillon in the blend), bright acids and subtle dry extracts framed by gastronomic bitterness, a result of the year's dry conditions. Although it presents a slightly austere profile at the moment, this wine is on its way to becoming a great bottle.

The 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc checks in as 72% Semillon and 28% Sauvignon Blanc. It brings sensational intensity and depth in its grilled pineapple, ripe citrus, and flower notes as well as this riveting sense of crushed stone-like minerality. This all carries to a full-bodied white that has integrated acidity, a pure, powerful mouthfeel, and a clean, crisp finish that keeps you salivating. Don’t believe the dogma that great whites can’t emerge from hot vintages. This is a concentrated, powerful, incredibly impressive dry white that will evolve gracefully over the coming two decades. The alcohol hit 14.5% and its pH is 3.32.