Description:

2012 Château La Mission Haut-Brion has overtones such as liquorice typical of very ripe grapes, but also fresh nuances reminiscent of menthol. Fruitiness and a touch of oak round out the wine's aromatic complexity. The alcoholic degree is once again high, but this gives the wine a sort of lightness and ethereal quality. However, this impression is misleading because the wine is, in reality, very powerful. The rich tannin adds a silky texture and the taste profile is altogether charming, with tremendous balance. 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion has the beautiful long aftertaste of all great wines. 62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest from September 19 through October 9.
To drink ideally around: 2022/2042

Weather conditions
Rainfall: 397 mm
Total production Gironde: 5,24 million hl
Number of days over 30°C/86°F: 24

Current vintage notes The 2012 vintage was uneven from bud break, which was disturbed by a cool, wet month of April, to véraison (color change), which took place over a long period. Fortunately, the months of July and August 2012 were ideal: warm and dry. This fine summer weather enabled us to do everything possible in the vineyard in order to make up for the poor spring weather. For two months, our team worked meticulously to make ripening as homogeneous as possible, and removed any green grapes at véraison. The harvest for both red and white wines began under sunny skies. 2012 is a truly fine vintage for early-ripening terroirs such as ours.