La Chapelle de La Mission 2015

Lush, offering gorgeous waves of plum sauce, cassis and steeped raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors that are infused with black tea, roasted apple wood and melted black licorice. The long finish lets everything cruise through, with a seamless feel. Almost approachable because of the polish, but there's absolutely no rush here. A jaw-dropping display of powerfully rendered fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,100 cases made.

The nose is initially not as fruit-driven as expected. Slightly on the herbal, savoury side without much fruit profile at all. The palate is quite delicate and very fine, with a wonderful, crunchy fresh acidity. The tannins here are very fine and lead into a good, long finish. Very good.

Lots of currants, spices and fresh herbs follow through to a full body that's tight and silky. Hints of cream and vanilla. Savory and salty. Shows structure and intensity as the second wine of La Mission. Try in 2021.

Tasted blind. Light but well-integrated nose. Sweet start, fresh and pleasing even if not dramatic. Just a slight cocoa note on the finish. (When this wine’s identity was revealed, it seemed notably overpriced.) (JR)

The 2015 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is laced with the essence of game, scorched earth, tobacco and wild cherry, all of which give the wine lovely aromatic nuance. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 fleshes out a bit more in bottle. Today, it comes across as a bit light and lacking in both depth and persistence, which is fine for a second wine that performs in line with, but does not exceed, expectations. Today, the Chapelle shows more of the effects of hydric stress than it did from barrel.

As to the reds, the 2015 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion is a terrific second wine well worth seeking out. Tobacco leaf, asphalt, earth and loads of ripe black fruits all emerge from this sexy, opulent, medium to full-bodied beauty that shares plenty of similarities to its bigger brother. With ripe tannin and a great finish, drink it anytime over the coming two decades.

Deep purple, rich at the core, with garnet highlights at the rim. Beautiful floral notes, prunes and tar nuances, already showing (for a second wine!) great aromatic depth on the nose. On the palate, very aromatic; the high Cabernet share is clearly noticeable, finishing persistent and elegant. Not a massive wine, but the tannins are surprisingly mature. This could be a fling for impatient Mission fans.

Deep purple, dense at the core, with garnet glints at the rim. Beautiful floral notes, prunes, and tar nuances, already showing (for a second wine!) great depth on the nose. On the palate, very aromatic; the high proportion of Cabernet is clearly noticeable, finishing long and elegant. Not a massive wine, but the tannins are remarkably ripe. This could turn into an affair for impatient Mission fans.

(45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc) Silky, sweet, powerful bouquet, blackberries, tobacco, mocha. Medium-bodied, aromatic palate with plenty of fine, sandy tannins, muscular structure, good aromatics, long, nicely dry finish. 17/20 2020 - 2030

Intense cedar, cumin, smoked caramel and grilled raspberry on the opening, with white pepper, tea and sage adding further nuance as it opens. Opulent but with fresh lift on the finish, this is ready to drink now and maintains the excellence of La Chapelle.

The 2015 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet in color, it jumps with bold notions of black cherry preserves, warm cassis, and dried mulberries, plus wafts of star anise, dusty soil, and tree bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy, with wonderfully forward black fruit preserves layers and a spicy kick to the finish.

With its friendly, charming character and lovely depth, la Chapelle 2015 offers a more approachable take on La Mission, without lacking density.

Garnet red with slightly violet highlights. Complex bouquet with good intensity. Floral, fruity, and spicy notes. Slightly luscious attack. Lovely balance on the palate, with fine-grained tannins in harmony with the structure. Plenty of freshness on the finish. A fine success.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Moderately intense yet distinctive nose. Fruity nuances. Notes of smoke, tar, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Soft on the attack, supple mid-palate, juicy; the wine develops with savory flavors, just a touch astringent on the finish. Long, fine length.

This is a rich wine with generous tannins and, more importantly, generous black fruits. It has a soft texture, the tannins fine and well integrated into the juiciness. It will be a delicious, fruity wine. Drink from 2022.