Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan

1998

Blend

48% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc

Wine designation

Château La Mission Haut Brion, Red, 1998
Category: Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux

Food pairing

Serve with aged parmesan cheese, roast lamb or alongside gnocchi with a wild mushroom sauce.

Data sheet

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan

1998

Tasting notes

With a record amount of rainfall, the quality terroir was able to absorb the excess water. With August being very warm, benefiting the harvest. A dense ruby color with balance and structured tannins.

Vineyard

Vineyard size: 25.6 hectares for red

Soil composition: Gravel based with a subsoil composed of clay, sand and limestone.

Winemaking

Fermentation container: Harvested in the early morning to maintain a cool temperature for the clusters.

Maceration technique: Stainless steel tanks with temperature control – Blending takes place following the malolactic fermentation prior to the barrel maturation.

Aging: Oak barrels

73% new oak barrels for 22 months.

Type of oak: French

Bottles produced: 70 800

Winemaker: Jean-Bernard Delmas

Heritage in the vineyard

Domaine

Originally part of a larger estate belonging to Arnaud de Lestonnac, before being acquired by Pères Lazaristes in 1540, the congregation of priests would develop the vineyards significantly. The name « La Mission » was added during the time the Lazarists priests operated the estate. Confiscated by the state during the French Revolution before being purchased in 1821 by Martial-Victor Vaillant. The estate was purchased by Domaine Clarence Dillon in 1983, managed alongside Château Haut-Brion.

Green in the vineyard

Environmental practices

Sustainable agriculturally minded with the objective being to reduce the amount of phytosanitary treatments per season. The soil structure is maintained to improve the conditions for active microbial life.