1979 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 1x75cl

Vinous 87

The 1979 La Mission Haut-Brion is subdued on the nose and only gradually, reluctantly awakens with aeration, developing rose petal and summer red fruit aromas and a scent of mown lawn. The palate is quite animally, perhaps even showing some brettanomyces, and rustic and attenuated on the finish. Tasted at a private dinner in Bordeaux. [Neal Martin, 10/09/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2023

Robert Parker 89

Dark plum/garnet-tinged with some amber at the edge, the 1979 offers up notes of garrigue, truffles, damp earth, hints of iodine and seaweed (which I associate more with wines made within 100 kilometers of the Mediterranean coastline, not the Atlantic Ocean), sweet currants, plums, cherries, cedar and roasted herbs. This medium-bodied, elegant, fully mature 1979 is a lighter version of La Mission than the 1978, but, for the vintage, it is a dramatic, authoritative effort. Decent acidity remains and the tannins have largely disappeared. There is good aromatic complexity, but a slight superficiality and fading fruit in the finish suggest consumption over the next decade is warranted as this wine is unlikely to improve with additional age. [01/08/2012]

JancisRobinson.com 16.5

Brick rim and deep crimson. Very rich nose and round and glossy texture with good freshness. Getting a little dusty but there was obviously class here once. Drink up. Second bottle actually corked! [23/06/2008]

Anticipated maturity: 1990-2004