96 Points - Wine Enthusiast. La Mission Haut Brion produced a typically brilliant wine in 2008. While the vintage as a whole has been somewhat overshadowed by the 2009 and 2010, the 2008s are often exceptional and offer great value for money by comparison. Robert Parker awarded this classic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc 95 points praising its Medium to full-bodied and concentrated with good acidity, freshness and delineation. Neal Martin gave the 2008 96 points, commenting that its One of the best 2008s out there.

Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Jun 2024)

Wine Press Ratings

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast

"95-97 Barrel sample. A muscular wine, with well-defined tannins. The acidity is high, hiding the power and richness of the fruit behind. Then dark tannins come through, with other ripe fruits, finishing with a mineral character."

Taste

The 2008 La Mission Haut-Brion has an open, feisty, lively bouquet with blackberry, briary, cedar, black olive and a light seaweed (Japanese nori) aroma. This is wonderful, an intoxicating bouquet. The palate is beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, very focused with good weight and structure. This is a very convincing showing, at the moment more pleasurable than the 2008 Haut-Brion, just so fresh and complex, offering a discrete tertiary, smoke-tinged finish that goes on and on. One of the best 2008s out there. 2020 2055. Neal Martin, Vinous

About the Producer

La Mission Haut Brion is one of Bordeauxs superstar properties.  It lies in the commune of Pessac Leognan just to the southwest of Bordeaux. Although it was ranked as Deuxieme Grand Cru Classé (second growth) in the 1955 classification, many critics believe it to be of Premier Grand Cru Classé (first growth) quality. The vineyards lie on the same gravel terrace as its siblings Chateau Haut Brion which is ideal for the production of exceptional quality grapes.  The properties signatures are smoky overtones and distinct, savoury minerality to the finish.