1994 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, Bottle (750ml)

La Mission Haut-Brion sits directly across from its First Growth neighbor Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan, sharing the same ownership and winemaking family while producing a wine of its own distinct, more muscular character.

The estate’s deep gunzian gravel gives it legendary drainage, and 1994 is a vintage that put that terroir to the test: a difficult, rain-interrupted season that gave many Left Bank estates real trouble, but one where La Mission’s site advantage showed through. It also marks a notable moment in the estate’s history, the first vintage Jean-Philippe Delmas worked alongside his father Jean-Bernard, the start of the family continuity that still defines the house today.

More than three decades on, this is a wine with nothing left to prove and nothing left to wait for. Critics who’ve followed it over the years describe it sitting on a steady, reliable plateau, understated and charming rather than a blockbuster, with the depth and structure to have gotten there gracefully. This is La Mission at full maturity: open, complex, and ready to drink tonight, no cellar patience required.

If you’re looking for mature Bordeaux you can pull the cork on without a second thought, this is it!!

Wine Advocate | 92 Points

"This vintage again demonstrates what an extraordinary terroir La Mission-Haut-Brion possesses. It was not an easy year, with rain, flowering issues and uncooperative weather in the critical months of August and September, but the vineyard’s superb drainage and La Mission’s ability to produce fascinating aromatics even in difficult vintages triumphs again. Classic Graves aromas of charcoal, scorched earth, red and black fruits, truffles, graphite and melted tar emerge from this dark garnet/plum-colored 1994. In the mouth, there is some angularity and rustic tannins remaining, but they are not out of balance. With medium to full body as well as more depth than many of its peers, the wine appears to be close to full maturity. However, with this level of acidity and tannin, it is not likely to fall apart any time soon."

Jane Anson | 92 Points

"Caressing in its tobacco and campfire smoke, with crushed raspberry coulis, less layered than the blockbuster vintages in the lineup but with a fresh mint leaf and oyster shell salinity on the finish. Cool Spring followed by a hot summer with thunderstorms, with a high Merlot blend because rain arrived during the Cabernet harvest, causing issues for many Left Bank estates. It's a vintage of La Mission that I have drunk regularly, the last time a good five years ago, and remains on the exact same plateau - understated, charming and one to look out for. Jean-Philippe Delmas' first vintage, working alongside his father Jean-Bernard. Harvest September 12 to 24 - the early-ripening location of this site a definite advantage."