99 POINTS
Jane Anson - Decanter
For me this is the wine of the vintage. Both of the whites in the Haut-Brion stable are exceptionally well sculpted and finessed, but this has the aromatic edge. It has a powerful, intense concentration of flavours, hemmed in by slate walls that make you slow down and inch your way through the palate - and I am more than happy to go as slow as possible. The cool nights over the summer have been very kind to these grapes; they are in full control, with luscious, creamy citrus, passion fruit, nectarine, white pear and touches of lemongrass. It's persistent and mouthwatering, an absolute testament to what white Bordeaux can achieve. 40% new oak. 98-100 points.
97 POINTS
Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast
This is a generous, opulent wine with ripe blackberry and hints of spice notes sustained by rich tannins. Juicy and packed with tannins, this will be ready to drink young, but will also age over many years.
A tight, solid red with crushed-berry, sandalwood, stone and cement flavors. It’s full-bodied, yet very tight and compact with excellent depth and intensity. Closed and austere, but there’s both energy and levity to it at the same time. Try after 2025.
97 POINTS
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator
Rich and racy at the same time, with a broad range of Key lime, white peach, yellow apple, verbena and meringue notes all woven together seamlessly, backed by a citrus oil accent on the lengthy, straw- and brioche-tinged finish. The finish shows terrific cut and drive despite the obvious richness. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Best from 2023 through 2040. — JM
96 POINTS
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2017 La Mission Haut-Brion, blended of 56% Merlot, 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.4% Cabernet Franc, is very deep garnet-purple in color and scented of crushed blackcurrants, blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries with suggestions of cigar box, bay leaves, Indian spices and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied with very firm, grainy tannins and a racy backbone supporting the taut, muscular fruit, it has bags of mineral and earthy suggestions layering the very long finish.
96 POINTS
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider
Subterranean ruby in color, this wine opens with lilies and night blooming Jasmine, black plum, cassis, a puff of smoke and a stroke of oak. Full-bodied and energetic but not frenetic, there is freshness, ripeness, assertive tannins and a succulent black currant hit in the finish. The vintage will require over a decade of aging. Created from a blend of 56% Merlot, 39.6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.4% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.1% alcohol with a pH of 3.86. The harvest took place September 4 through September 29 and represents 51% of the Grand Vin.
96 POINTS
Jane Anson - Decanter
The aromatics here are incredible, and there is the most gorgeous density of black brambly fruit on display. It's graceful but intense, and utterly delicious . It doesn't have the same intensity through the palate as the wonderful 2016, but it really does stand out in the vintage as being extremely good quality. It's going to take its time to come round, so settle in for the long haul. 51% of overall crop. 3.86pH.
Matthew Jukes
19/20