La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2014

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "This is a briliant vintage for both wines of the Haut-Brion stable at the time, I remember them standing out during En Primeur, and wow this is still delivering, right up there at the top of the lineup. Fleshy and finessed, measured, gourmet, grilled raspberry and red cherry, edges of sweeter damson, even creme de cassis, with tobacco, slate, saffran and turmeric adding layers to sink into. Great length and is full of fragrance. Knockout. Jean-Philippe Delmas estate director, Jean-Philippe Masclef technical director. Drinking Window: 2024-2045. (Feb 2024)"

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion needs a swirl or two to unlock notes of blackberry pie, creme de cassis, and espresso plus nuances of truffle, tapenade, and fragrant soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, with spicy accents to the black fruit flavors, finishing long and decadent. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2024-2044. (3/5/24)"

96 points James Suckling: "The typicity of La Mission is really here. Aromas of iodine, oyster shell, currants and orange peel are evident. Full-bodied, tight and tannic with a muscular and toned texture that holds the wine down at the moment, but it’s waiting to release its joy and true nature. Fine-grained. Give it until 2023. (1/25/17)"

95+ points Antonio Galloni (VInous): "The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion is dark, powerful and authoritative from the very first impression. A dark, beguiling wine, it boasts serious richness and concentration. Savory herbs, tobacco, menthol, licorice and a host of dark fruit infuse this deep, intense La Mission. The 2014 is not a huge wine, but it does have exceptional balance. This is a very strong showing. The blend is 54 % Merlot, 45 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 % Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2020-2039. (Feb 2017)"

95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2014 La Mission Haut Brion is a blend of 54% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked between 15 September and 8 October and raised in 55% new oak. It has retained that engagingly fresh and vibrant bouquet, the bashful nature that it showed in barrel replaced by a more outgoing personality. This is an exquisite bouquet with pure black fruit, cold stone, a touch of black olive and later a suggestion of boysenberry preserve. The palate is still structured and considering that a majority is Merlot, quite masculine. There remains some new oak to be fully assimilated, although there is clearly the fruit to soak that up. It comes more alive on the second half with a lovely spiciness and impressive persistence. It will have more to give down the line and the strictness implies that this La Mission Haut Brion should be afforded a decade in the cellar before it will show what it can do. Drink: 2024-2050. (3/31/17)"

95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2014 Château La Mission Haut Brion is slightly more elegant and pretty compared to the richer, slightly more masculine Haut Brion. A blend of 54% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Cabernet Franc, it shows a kiss of red fruits in its core of darker currants, smoke tobacco, scorched earth, vanilla bean, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness, impeccable balance, fine tannin, and a great, great finish, it’s a downright classy La Mission that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20+. Drink: 2022-2042. (11/30/17)"

95 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Medium-bodied, fresh attack, dominated by late summer fruits, suggesting perfectly but not overly ripe, still great integrity to the fruit, a floating gossamer quality to the structure, the tannins are deceptively fine, they in fact hold the structure very tightly, feel it on the finish with its impression of blackberry and raspberry fruits being kept firmly in hold. A lovely wine, medium to long term but with great potential for pleasure. From a blend of 54% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.25%. Drinking Window: 2025-2042. (6/14/15)"

95 points Chris KIssack (Winedoctor): "This is dark and savoury, certainly reserved, with macerated dark fruits tightly wrapped up in a very firm layer of oak. It feels rather brooding, introverted and concentrated, and it does not seem to be displaying the trademark rose-petal perfume it often shows at this stage. The palate is no less imposing than the nose suggests, with a rich and broad texture, along with a very svelte layer of tannins, richly polished and seamlessly integrated, nevertheless showing great confidence and character. It all leads through into a long, tannin-infused finish. This is very good indeed, with much future potential. (Nov 2018)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2014 La Mission Haut-Brion offers bright and vivid scents that immediately captivate the olfactory scenes: black fruit, cedar, pencil box and light, minty aromas. It's much better than its First Growth neighbor. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, very harmonious, and has lovely depth with a gentle grip. This is a sophisticated and entrancing 2014, one of my favorites in Bordeaux. Highly recommended. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. Drink: 2024-2060. (Mar 2024)"

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Richly endowed, the wine is beautifully concentrated. Still young it has considerable potential with its rich fruits and firm tannins. There is a strongly juicy aftertaste that brings in the freshness of the year. The wine will age well, and should not be drunk before 2026. Alcohol 14.5%. (Apr 2017)"

95 points (17.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France (2016).