La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 2022

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "As to the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château La Mission Haut-Brion is pure perfection, and it's as seamless, pure, and layered as they come, while still bringing incredible intensity and richness. Smoky red and black currants, leafy tobacco, scorched earth, as well as a hint of violets, all define this incredible wine, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, velvety sweet tannins, moderate acidity, and a gorgeous finish. I love this sexy, opulent, straight-up heavenly wine today, yet it can be drunk with incredible pleasure any time over the coming 50+ years. Reminding me of the 2009 and an undeniable candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2022 hit a solid 14% alcohol with a lofty pH of 3.95. Drink: 2033-2083. (2/27/25)"

100 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion is a total stunner, just as it was en primeur. An archetype of finesse. Dark and explosive, with no hard edges, the 2022 is captivating right out of the gate. Vibrant red fruit, blood orange, new leather and exotic spice notes are all beautifully alive in the glass. The 2022 is seamless and resonant, with magnificent balance and tons of pure class. I would be thrilled to own it. In a word: dazzling. Drink: 2032-2062. (Jan 2025)"

99 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. A compact nose of dark fruits of the forest, black cherry, some cassis, candied orange zest and some nougat, with hints of sweet tobacco. The palate is full-bodied, elegant and finely structured, with pleasant ripe cherry fruit, ripe tannins, and minerality, already very well developed, could be enjoyed straight away, but will continue to improve, even if it is difficult to be patient. (Jan 2025)"

98 points James Suckling: "Showing blackcurrants, crushed stones and flint undertones, this is full-bodied and very tight with great length and precision, both refined and rather timid at this stage. The strong tannins come out at the end, muscular and beautifully formed, giving tension and power. This needs lots of time to soften. Best after 2030. (1/6/25)"

98 points Rod Smith (TimAtkin.com) (May 2023).

97 points Chris Kissack (The Wine Independent): "This is the one red from the Clarence Dillon stable not ruled by Merlot in this vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon accounting for just over 51% of the total (a slim majority!), with the remainder mostly Merlot, and the élevage was in 62% new oak. I find an intertwining of dark fruits, finely described, with a classical La Mission perfume on the nose, the notes of coffee bean and toasted currants mingled with rose petals and verbena. The palate is just dying to please, opening with a melting texture that just glides across the palate, filled with finely grained currant, toast, black damson and blackberry, lifted with little notes of rose and vanilla flower, all wrapped around a core of beautifully finessed tannins, finely grained and knit together, Such a contrast here between the precision of the structure and the melting palate of tar and chocolate, but it is the structure that wins in the length, all polished, tightly grained, powdery and long. An excellent La Mission which promises much. The alcohol on the label is 14%. Drink: 2029-2059. (6/5/25)"

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc). Reserved and closed down right now, you can feel the muscularity on the opening beats but as it widens through the mid palate a ton of spice and fragrant freshly-cut herbs come crowding in, giving a light and finessed touch to the deep blueberry and plum fruits. Great quality, these wines have kept their typicity in the heat of the vintage. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2030-2046. (12/27/24)"