This is just gorgeous, flirting with the very best. Striking aromatics of crushed red rose petals that pop out of the glass, Not as long lasting as some vintages perhaps, but so much finesse and balance, plenty of classic La Mission finesse and balance, touches of mint leaf, cloves and pummice stone minerality. Taut on the finish in its tannic structure and no question majors more heavily on the cool blue fruit character than we have seen with this property in recent years but it is seriously enjoyable, a total masterclass in cool fruit delivery, and a reminder than in the warmer location of Mission and Haut-Brion, these more understated vintages can really offer joyful drinking. 73% new oak, harvest September 20 to October 8. No frost impact here and very little mildew, meaning the overall yield was up to 47hl/h. This is one I strongly recommend, my red wine of the vintage. 99 points

The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion comes across as delicate and soft. It is a wine that is very strongly marked by the year—there is no doubt about that. Floral and spice notes open first, as the 2021 shows off its restrained personality. Dark fruit, leather, cedar and tobacco develop in the glass, but this very clearly offers only modest definition, mid-palate pliancy and persistence. Even so, there are no hard edges. Overall, it`s a very good wine in a year that was obviously extremely challenging. 92 points

The 2021 La Mission Haut-Brion has a very cohesive bouquet, well-defined with minerally red and black fruit, hints of white flowers and a distant tang of black olive. The almost ‘estuarine’ element becomes more prominent with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite fresh though not a complex or deep La Mission. It is lifted by the salinity and sustain on the finish—also its typicite. Whilst not a wine from the top drawer, it is a fascinating, engaging Pessac that will drink over the next 20 or 30 years. 93 points