The 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion, as usual, deserves five minutes in the glass before sticking your nose into it. Scents of black plum, gravel, violet and crushed stone emerge; that Earl Grey element is not as obvious as it was out of barrel. This is beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. Extremely pure with unerring symmetry, the 2022 builds through the caressing and persistent finish. Maybe for some it does not have the grip of top vintages, though you cannot argue against its riveting complexity and persistence in the mouth. All that said, juxtaposing the two side-by-side for 30 minutes, it must take the silver medal to 2022 Haut-Brion. 96 points

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. 100 points

One of the most intense Missions that I can remember in terms of colour, but the density in the phenolics is beautifully balanced on the palate by red roses and peony aromatics, edges of violet, incense, cigar box, black pepper spice, with clear grip and fierce concentration. Delivers an exceptional feeling of walking the line between excess and restraint, hard to resist. Yields a little higher on Cabernet Sauvignon than in Haut-Brion, so higher percentage here. 97 points

A rich and muscular wine that reflects the warmth of the vintage, the 2022 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals aromas of dark berries, cherries and creme de cassis mingled with licorice, spices, incense and spring flowers. Full-bodied, broad and concentrated, it`s surprisingly lively despite an elevated pH of 4.0, exhibiting a seamless, broad-shouldered profile with an ample core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannin. It`s a blend of 51.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.2% Merlot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc. 94-96+ points