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Wine Description
The Story
Formerly named Château Laville Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is produced in such extremely limited quantities that it is confined to the initiated. Its make-up almost 85% of Semillon, 14% Sauvignon Blanc and a pinch of Muscadelle ? also makes it unique. When young it possesses the characteristics of a premier Gewurztraminer. With time it trades its Alsatian color for the amber of the great Sauterne wines. Then this dry white wine expresses all the particular traits of a great syrupy Graves wine that are specific to the Semillon grown in famous terroirs.
More details
Surface area planted: 2.55 hectares (6.30 acres)
Planted grape varieties: 85% Sémillon, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle
Fermentation in oak casks
Length of initial maturing period in oak casks: 9-12 months in 40-50% new wood
Average production: 500 to 700 cases
Wine Information
The rainy months of November and December 2021 en able water reserves in the soils to be replenished, before making way for a dry month of January. From February and March, mild temperatures, above seasonal averages, bring about an early start to the vine’s growth cycle. An incidence of frost marks the early part of April, but although it is widespread, its severity is moderate and the vine, whose growth has progressed far less than in 2021, is only slightly affected. Warm temperatures during the month of May cause the vine to develop rapidly and flowering takes place without a hitch. Starting in June, three long heat waves of high temperatures mark the summer. Green work in the vineyard is very restricted in order to protect the vine. Alongside the heat, the water deficit intensifies, but the grapes continue to ripen without any halt. Rain during the night of August 13th saves the situation and perfects the grapes’ balance by moderating the sugar content.
The harvests begin on August 16th at Château La Mission Haut-Brion for the white grape varieties. The perfect health of the grapes requires very little sorting and the harvest is gathered in just 9 days for the Sauvignons and Sémillons. For the red varieties, harvests begin on August 29th with the young vines and the Merlots. Quite unusually, picking of the Cabernet Sauvignons follows swiftly at the beginning of September: the grapes are indeed ready, in terms of both analysis and taste. The berries are smaller than in previous years and less abundant in juice, but the substance and range of aromas and flavours are fabulous. Each year is different and adapting to the grapes is key to making a great wine: to achieve this, tasting the berries and then the vatted juices is crucial and makes it possible to modify the parameters of winemaking. Ultimately, 2022 is an exceptional year, but it confirms that we must never despair of the vine and its ability to adjust.