2010 Ch La Mission Haut Brion, Pessac-Leognan

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, faint brightening on the rim. Somewhat restrained, subtle plum fruit, dark berries, a hint of cassis, a touch of fine wood savouriness in the background, a hint of nougat and caramel. Juicy, pronounced in fruit and delicate on the palate, powerful but not lush, perfect tannins, mineral and persistent, chocolatey tone and fine dark berry fruit on the finish, great length, huge future potential. Brilliant.

100 points Falstaff

This is crazy. The nose is so unique with the iodine, stones and currant aromas with wet earth and mushroom. Aromas like this don't usually come out until 10 years or so in the bottle. Classic nose for this estate. Full-bodied, with an amazing palate of firm yet polished tannins and a solid palate. So dense and gorgeous. It is really stunning. Try in 2020.

100 points James Suckling

A strong candidate for a perfect score in about 15 years, the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion could well turn out to be a modern-day version of their 1955. Sadly (or maybe fortunately) for me, I’m not old enough to have tasted the 1955 in 1958 from bottle, but this wine could also be an update on the more modern 2000 which, of course, I know well and actually own. This full-bodied, colossal giant of a wine is one of the goliaths of the vintage. It may well have the highest level of natural alcohol for any wine from the Left Bank of Bordeaux (15.1%) and has the definite potential to be a 50- to 75-year wine. Dense purple, it offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal embers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur along with massive concentration, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and a monumental finish that goes well past a minute, which I think might be a record for a young Bordeaux. Keep in mind that the 2009, which I gave three digits, came in at 14.7%, but the pH of the 2010 is lower, giving the wine a freshness and precision that is remarkable. The final blend was 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and – unlike the Chapelle de la Mission, which has 26% Cabernet Franc – there’s only 1% Cabernet Franc in the 2010 La Mission Haut-Brion. This is a wine for those of you with youth on your side as well as patience. It will need a good decade of cellaring. An amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2024-2075+.

98+ points Robert Parker Junior 

Standing alongside the greatest estates of Bordeaux, Château La Mission Haut Brion has long been revered for producing wines of extraordinary depth, precision and character. Founded in the 16th century and owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon since 1983, the estate shares the same gravelly terroir as its illustrious neighbour, Château Haut Brion. Yet La Mission has always forged its own identity, combining immense power with remarkable refinement to create one of Pessac Léognan's most compelling wines.

The legendary 2010 vintage is regarded as one of the greatest in Bordeaux's history, producing wines of exceptional concentration, freshness and structure. The deep gravel soils of Pessac Léognan yielded Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc of remarkable purity, while meticulous vineyard selection and traditional élevage have created a wine built for generations. Even with more than a decade in bottle, it remains wonderfully youthful and destined for a long future.

Deep garnet with an almost opaque core, the bouquet is profoundly layered with aromas of cassis, black cherry and blackberry intertwined with cigar box, graphite and cedar. As the wine unfolds, notes of truffle, smoked earth, violets, dark chocolate and crushed rock emerge, revealing extraordinary complexity. The palate is majestic, marrying immense fruit concentration with impeccably polished tannins, vibrant freshness and a seamless mineral backbone. Powerful yet perfectly proportioned, it finishes with remarkable persistence, leaving an unforgettable impression of elegance, precision and quiet authority.

A magnificent partner for Chateaubriand, roast venison, dry aged rib eye, truffle infused dishes or mature Comté. One of the defining wines of the 2010 vintage, Château La Mission Haut Brion will continue to reward patient collectors for many decades.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2065+.