About Château La Mission Haut-Brion
La Mission takes its name from the religious order that farmed the land from the seventeenth century, and the small chapel still stands among the vines. The vineyard is only a road's width from Haut-Brion but sits on slightly heavier soil, which is part of why the wine comes out denser, smokier and more tannic. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot share the blend roughly evenly. The Woltner family owned and made the wine through most of the twentieth century, building a reputation that often beat its neighbor in blind tastings, and Domaine Clarence Dillon bought the estate in 1983. La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is the second wine.
Two great châteaux facing each other across one road is unique in Bordeaux. Our Pessac-Léognan Wines and Bordeaux Wines pages cover the neighboring estates, and Cabernet Sauvignon follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion?
They are separate vineyards on opposite sides of the same road, made in separate cellars, though both belong to Domaine Clarence Dillon. La Mission is generally darker, firmer and more tannic; Haut-Brion is more perfumed and finer boned. In several vintages La Mission has been rated the better wine.
What happened to Laville Haut-Brion?
It was the estate's white wine and one of the longest-lived dry whites in France. From the 2009 vintage it was renamed Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc. Older bottles still carry the Laville name.
Is La Mission Haut-Brion a classified growth?
Yes, but not under the 1855 list, which covered only the Médoc plus Haut-Brion. La Mission is a Cru Classé de Graves under the separate 1953 classification, and it trades at first growth prices regardless of the paperwork.
How long does La Mission Haut-Brion age?
Fifteen to twenty years for good vintages, holding for forty or more. It is slower to open than Haut-Brion and rewards the extra decade.