Château La Mission Haut-Brion 2025 is a remarkably elegant and precise Pessac-Léognan, crafted from 58.3% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3.4% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of cassis, dark berries, graphite, spice, and subtle smoky notes lead to a layered and beautifully refined palate. Dense yet vibrant, the wine combines velvety tannins, concentrated fruit, and remarkable freshness, delivering both power and finesse. The 2025 vintage showcases exceptional balance and purity, finishing long, perfumed, and mineral-driven. A standout La Mission Haut-Brion with outstanding ageing potential.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97-99
Published: Apr 30, 2026

A blend of 58.3% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3.4% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 La Mission Haut-Brion reveals a refined bouquet of smoky cassis, dark berries, spices and lead pencil, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and layered, it’s built around a multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by fine, velvety tannins, concluding with a long, perfumed and precise finish. Combining depth with energy, it delivers a textural yet controlled expression of power, with a real sense of freshness. The result is a particularly faithful, charming rendition of La Mission, defined by its elegance and overall precision.

The 2025 vintage at Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion formed under constraint rather than excess. Yields stayed low, close to 2024, at around 23 hectoliters per hectare for whites—exceptionally reduced—and 27 hectoliters per hectare for reds. Poor floral initiation defined the season early, especially for Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris, with some parcels carrying little to no fruit. Clean flowering locked in that limited potential, and summer drought further reduced berry size, particularly in Pessac.

Rainfall arrived unevenly. A storm on June 13 dropped some 65 millimeters in a single day, but only over part of the appellation. Other sectors saw little impact. The Médoc received rain later, on July 24, which largely missed Pessac. The totals align on paper, but the timing drove variation in ripening.

Phenolic maturity was high, with IPT exceeding 100, indicating marked concentration. Harvest started early—August 27 at La Mission and September 1 at Haut-Brion—and finished around September 18.

The teams responded with control. They adjusted extraction, avoided excess and worked to retain balance. The wines come through as dense but fresh, structured but not severe. The tannins show restraint and precision. Haut-Brion delivers depth and authority; La Mission leans toward charm. Both capture the vintage’s brightness and fruit definition, with more clarity than 2022.

James Suckling | JS 96-97
Published: Apr 26, 2026

A red with lots of muscular tannins that are polished and velvety. It's full-bodied with a chewy mouthfeel and a long and intense finish. Crushed stones, dark fruit and bark at the end. 58.3% merlot, 38.3% cabernet sauvignon and 3.4% cabernet franc.

Jancis Robinson | JR 18
Published: Apr 26, 2026

58.3% Merlot, 38.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.4% Cabernet Franc. 26 hl/ha. Cask sample.
Unusually fragrant and floral at this early stage. Lovely texture, the tannins smooth and refined, cushioned by the ripe fruit. Plenty of power behind, though, and a mouth-watering freshness to the long, powerful finish. Focused and spot-on. (JL)

Please read the full En Primeur terms & conditions.