An absolute legendary wine that ranks with the handful of truly monumental wines of the past 100 years or so is the 2009 Château La Mission Haut-Brion, which is close to an even split of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a splash (6%) of Cabernet Franc. This beauty hit over 15% alcohol and should be a nail in the coffin to all the anti-alcohol fear mongering that has gone over the past 10-15 years. Still youthfully ruby-hued, with incredible notes of ripe currants, mulled cherries, scorched earth, tobacco, and even a hint of truffly earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a finish that just won't quit. Opulent, decadent, yet without any sensation of weight or heaviness, this magical Pessac can be enjoyed any time over the coming 30-40 years, and I have no doubt it will offer pleasure even beyond that.

The deep garnet colored 2009 La Mission Haut-Brion absolutely sings of warm red and black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, liquid licorice, sassafras and espresso with hint of lilacs, pencil shavings and truffles. Full-bodied, rich, bold and oh-so-decadent in the mouth, the palate is completely packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by wonderfully velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing epically long. Wow! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Powerful, full-bodied, youthful, mouth filling and packed to gills with layers of dark, red and black fruits, the wine is big. But it is also balanced, long, deep, regal and complex. Made from blending 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, the finish does not seem to quit. The texture is equally dense and regal, with layer after layer of smoky, tobacco infused fruit. This is still a baby. Give it 10-15 more years and this will be a truly majestic wine. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2009+La+Mission+Haut+BrionRead more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=Ch%C3%A2teau%20La%20Mission%20Haut-Brion

47% Merlot 47% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Cabernet Franc. 14.7% alcohol which is the highest on record (previous high was 14.2% in 2005). A deep brooding wine of tremendous structure and complexity. Aromas of Santa Rosa plum and crushed blackberry mix with damp wood smoked meat and black licorice to form a stunning nose. The tannins coat the mouth but are surprisingly soft for such a young wine. I lingered over this for some time and look forward to tasting it again on release.

Generous yet contained, this is as broadshouldered and muscular as you might expect from a vintage where everything went right during the growing season, showing a velvety finesse to its tannins. It has fully settled into its drinking window at this point, while still offering plenty of primary character to the grilled plum and black cherry fruit alongside capsicum pepper, turmeric spice, incense, olive tapenade, kirsch, cocoa bean and liqourice. 77% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 9 to October 6, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.

As with its sibling, Haut-Brion, you immediately get a sense of the generosity of the year here. It has a striking nose with touches of kirsch, black cherry, liquorice and dark chocolate, while the exoticism of 2009 is clear in the plush, ripe, fleshy and velvet-textured fruit. It's gourmet and well built, with plenty of life ahead of it. On the finish, a slate character does an excellent job of lifting everything up together, bringing a sense of balance and a welcome savoury bite. Exceptionally good.

Dark, cool and sleek, this is a very sophisticated wine with great structure and polished tannins that's just beginning to give its best. The cassis and blackberry fruit is brightest on the long finish and that suggests this has great aging potential. Drink or hold.

Tasted at Farr Vintner's La Mission dinner. The 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion continues to impress. Here it has a sweet and generous bouquet than is just as generous and as opulent as back in January: billowing aromas of liquorice, blackberry and iodine. The palate is full-bodied and feels very plush in the mouth, perhaps just a touch more savory than I was expecting but still utterly compelling. Watch this flex its muscles in years to come. Tasted November 2013.

Such a generous and ripe wine with a dark core of tannins surrounded by opulent fruit. Black fruits coffee very concentrated flavors a powerhouse of structure and richness. The warmth of the wine is palpable as is the aging potential. R.V.

This is forcefully rendered with dark tar espresso and chocolate up front backed by dense layers of fig sauce currant reduction and smoldering black tea leaves. There's dense flesh and great drive on the finish which has serious grip. Best from 2016 through 2035. 6000 cases made. -JM