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Wine Description
The Story
La Mission Haut Brion is situated in Bordeaux' southern suburb, Talence. From 1919 and until 1983, it was Woltner family, who had owned this property. Under Woltner's reign, La Mission Haut Brion experienced one of its greatest period with string of fine vintages and was considered then as fully on the level with First Growths and sometimes even better than these. In 1983, owners of Haut Brion purchased La Mission Haut Brion and today its Jean Philippe Delmas, who's responsible for this property.
La Mission-Haut-Brion's vineyards (Cabernet Sauvignon 48%, Merlot 45%, Cabernet Franc 7%) lie on a large (up to 18 metres deep in places) gravel bank interspersed with clay. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats and then matured in oak barriques (100% new) for 18 months. The wines of La Mission Haut Brion are rich, oaky and powerful and need at least 10 years of bottle ageing before they should be broached.
Wine Information
Created by the noble Lestonnac family in the early years of the sixteenth century, the vineyard of La Mission Haut-Brion owes its name and its reputation to the Prêcheurs de la Mission, the Bordeaux branch of the Congrégation de la Mission de Sainte-Lazare, who held the property from 1682 until the French Revolution. The estate was first time awarded with the Gold Medal at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.
The signature of the estate wines are complex flavours of mixture of red fruits, cigar. dark chocolate, roasting and cedar wood. On palate, wine shows always fine and silky tannins.
Vineyard: 26.6 hectares (65.7 acres)
Varietals: 42.7% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.3% Cabernet Franc
Average time spend in oak: 18-22 months (80% new oak)
Annual Production: 6,000-7,000 cases
Vintage 1928
The weather conditions in Bordeaux during the 1928 growing season played a pivotal role in shaping the vintage. The year started with a mild winter, followed by a warm and dry spring that allowed for an early budbreak and flowering.
Bordeaux 1928 Reds: The red wines of Bordeaux from the 1928 vintage are notable for their unique character and their representation of a challenging growing season.
Appearance: The 1928 Bordeaux reds typically exhibit a brick-red to amber color, reflecting their considerable age.
Nose: On the nose, the 1928 Bordeaux reds offer an array of aromas, including dried fruits, tobacco, cedar, and subtle earthy notes. While they may not possess the vibrancy of wines from more exceptional vintages, they are known for their complexity.
Palate: In the mouth, the 1928 Bordeaux reds are characterized by their delicate and often resolved tannins. The wines tend to be lighter in body and lack the depth and concentration found in 1929 vintage. Flavors of dried cherries, currants, and subtle herbal nuances can be discerned.
Overall Impressions: The Bordeaux 1928 vintage is generally regarded as a fine vintage in terms of wine quality.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the 1928 Bordeaux wines offer a historical perspective on the region's winemaking. While they all may not consistently deliver the depth and elegance associated with Bordeaux at its best, they can provide insight into a unique period in the region's history and the variability of Bordeaux vintages. When encountering bottles from this vintage today, it's essential to manage expectations and to seek out well-preserved bottles from reputable producers for the best possible tasting experiences.
