97-99

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion is one of my early favorites in this vintage. Aromatic and vibrant, with striking purity, the Grand Vin is magnificent. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and cinnamon soar from the glass. Beams of supporting tannin lend energy and shape. In a word: compelling. One of the wines of the vintage. 04/2026

94-96

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion was picked from August 28 until September 19 at around 23 hl/ha, lower than Haut-Brion, perhaps due to higher density of planting and less competition between vines. There is less new oak, at around 59%, the same as Haut-Brion, down from around 80% in recent years. This has a perfumed bouquet, one of the most floral that I can recall, beautifully defined with black cherries, blueberry and crushed violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied with chiselled tannins, a silver thread of acidity, quite linear in style with a strict, tensile, graphite-tinged finish. Yeah, it has to play second fiddle to Haut-Brion this year, but it is still a great La Mission. 13.6% alcohol. 05/2026

97-99

Yohan Castaing

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

A blend of 58.3% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.4% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals a refined bouquet of smoky cassis, dark berries, spices and lead pencil, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by fine, velvety tannins, concluding with a long, perfumed and precise finish. Combining depth with energy, it delivers a textural yet controlled expression of power, with a real sense of freshness. The result is a particularly faithful, charming rendition of La Mission, defined by its elegance and overall precision. 04/2026

96-98

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

A Merlot-heavy blend of 58.3% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc that's being raised in 60% new French oak, the 2025 Château La Mission Haut-Brion sports a dense ruby/purple hue as well as juicy black raspberries, currants, smoky tobacco, freshly sharpened pencils, and liquid violet nuances on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a pure, concentrated, layered mouthfeel, focusing tannins, and beautiful overall balance and length. It's a slightly more inward, focused expression of this cuvée, but that's the vintage, and this has tons to love. I suspect the cellar will be your friend. 05/2026

100

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire et pourpre. Nez intense, fin, subtil, noble et très complexe, évoluant ultra parfumé à l'agitation du verre. Ample à l'attaque et immédiatement très plein, avec une puissance folle assortie de milles arômes étincelants, le vin vibre en bouche. Il avance conquérant, profond et solide, vers une très grande longueur puissante et parfumée suivie d'une très belle rétro-olfaction. C'est de la folie. Assemblage : 58,3 % Merlot, 38,3 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 3,4 % Cabernet Franc. Degré d'alcool : 13°6. - pH : 3,73. Rendement : 23,2 hl/ha. Pour la petite histoire les premières cuves remplies le 28 et 29 août étaient à 14°6. Les suivantes vendangées après les pluies sont redescendues à 13°3 - 13°6. Ce degré d'alcool de La Mission 2025 est comparable à celui du millésime 2000. La puissance de ce vin s'explique tout à la fois de par sa concentration aromatique et sa concentration tanique. D'habitude le tanin empêche les arômes. Or, ici, le jeu s'organise différemment. Alors que le vin a été vinifié avec plus de douceur que de coutume, certaine cuves affichaient le chiffre record de 100 d'IPT. La Mission Haut Brion 2025 déborde de son cadre connu ! 04/2026

96-97

James Suckling

James Suckling

A red with lots of muscular tannins that are polished and velvety. It's full-bodied with a chewy mouthfeel and a long and intense finish. Crushed stones, dark fruit and bark at the end. 58.3% merlot, 38.3% cabernet sauvignon and 3.4% cabernet franc. 04/2026