92-95

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion is a dense, powerful wine. Firm tannins give the 2023 a feeling of sternness—a sense of classical austerity that is beguiling. This is the second-most tannic vintage for La Mission, only surpassed by 2010, so readers should plan on being patient. It will be interesting to see what élevage brings. At this stage, the 2023 is quite the bruiser. Hints of mocha, spice, new leather, crushed flowers and red-toned fruit linger. 04/2024

93-95

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion was picked between September 5 until October 5, a relatively long picking, at 50hL/ha. It has a wonderful bouquet with brightness and verve: very well-defined red and black fruit, a little floral in style, maybe not as rambunctious as recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins. A perfect line of acidity counterbalances the creamy texture, turning quite plush toward the finish, but it is amazingly well-focused. This is a generous La Mission Haut-Brion that will probably drink earlier than say, the 2022, as winemaker Jean-Philippe Delmas agreed. It’s very fine and very delicious, but I would not place it within the canon of top vintages. 04/2024

94-96

Yohan Castaing

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2023 La Mission Haut-Brion unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of ripe red fruits, dark wild berries, spring flowers, burning embers and lilac. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it’s layered and textural with a dense core of fruit underpinned by youthfully firm structuring tannins. This blend of 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.7% Cabernet Franc its likely to become fleshier and more enveloping with barrel maturation. 04/2024

96-100

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

One of the finest wines in the vintage, the 2023 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is based on 52.7% Merlot, 29.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It's one hell of a gorgeous wine offering a massive nose of black raspberries, graphite, liquid flowers, scorched earth, and chocolate-like aromas and flavors. It delivers remarkable purity, full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and fine-grained, sweet tannins. The overall balance paired with opulence here is something to behold, and it’s incredible to find this level of quality in the vintage. 05/2024

96

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, pur, subtil et floral, dont l'intensité s'amplifie à l'agitation du verre. Moelleux en entrée de bouche et surtout doté d'un gras fin comparable au toucher d'un vin blanc sec, le vin fond au palais. Il gagne de la trame entre le milieu et la finale et s'achève long, subtil, sur des saveurs complexes. C'est à la fois très bon et très différent parmi les vins rouges de Bordeaux. Assemblage : 52,7 % merlot, 29,6 % cabernet sauvignon, 17,7 % cabernet franc. Degré d'alcool : 14°5 - pH : 3,78 - IPT : 73. Rendement : 55 hl/ha. 04/2024

97-98

James Suckling

James Suckling

The classy mouth-feel and length to this is really gorgeous, and it seduces you with its texture of fine silk and finesse. Lasts for a long, long time. Medium body with medium, creamy and round tannins and a layered, textured finish. Shows blackcurrants, lead pencil and crushed stone at the end. 52.7% merlot, 29.6% cabernet sauvignon and 17.7% cabernet franc. 04/2024