In the glass
Aroma: ripe peach, honeyed lime, sappy herbs, chalk, white flowers
Palate: white peach, mineral salinity, grapefruit zest, lanolin, toasted hazelnuts
Originally sold as Laville Haut-Brion until 2009, this is among the most complex dry whites of Bordeaux. Semillon richness and Sauvignon Blanc freshness fuse with 100% new oak to produce a wine of extraordinary mineral precision and creamy depth.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled Dover sole with lemon butter
Delicate white fish and citrus butter find partners in the wine's limey freshness and creamy mineral texture. -
Scallops with cauliflower cream
Sweet scallop and the nutty sweetness of cauliflower resonate with the wine's hazelnut and peach notes. -
Poulet de Bresse roasted with cream and tarragon
Cream sauce and herbal tarragon complement the wine's lanolin texture and sappy herb character. -
Soft-shell crab tempura
The wine's high acidity and citrus notes cut through the oil of tempura while sweet crab flesh mirrors stone-fruit richness.
How to serve Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled Dover sole with lemon butter, Scallops with cauliflower cream, Poulet de Bresse roasted with cream and tarragon. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Produced at the estate since 1927 under the name Laville Haut-Brion (named after a small adjacent property), the white wine was renamed Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc from the 2009 vintage onward when the Laville name was retired. Annual production is under 1,000 cases, making it one of the rarest Graves whites in existence.
- 1927 — White wine first produced at the estate, sold as Laville Haut-Brion
- 2009 — Renamed Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc; Laville Haut-Brion name retired
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
- Grapes
- Semillon (65%), Sauvignon Blanc (35%)
- Classification
- Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan AOC
- Oak
- 100% new French oak; barrel-fermented; 13 to 16 months aging; no malolactic fermentation
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Production
- 9,600 bottles
- Price
- EUR 550-750 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1927
Scores
- Wine Advocate 98 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Wine Advocate 97 (2020 vintage, reviewed 2023)
Frequently asked about Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc
What does Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc taste like?
On the nose, ripe peach, honeyed lime, sappy herbs, chalk, white flowers. On the palate, white peach, mineral salinity, grapefruit zest, lanolin, toasted hazelnuts. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. Originally sold as Laville Haut-Brion until 2009, this is among the most complex dry whites of Bordeaux. Semillon richness and Sauvignon Blanc freshness fuse with 100% new oak to produce a wine of extraordinary mineral precision and creamy depth.
When should I drink Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc?
Grilled Dover sole with lemon butter is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Scallops with cauliflower cream and Poulet de Bresse roasted with cream and tarragon. Delicate white fish and citrus butter find partners in the wine's limey freshness and creamy mineral texture.
What grapes are in Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc?
The blend is Semillon (65%), Sauvignon Blanc (35%). The wine is classified as Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan AOC.