LA CHAPELLE DE LA MISSION

2008 Pessac-Léognan

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Village Pessac-Léognan
ABV 13.5%

Pretty. Not sure there's not more to this than the Clarence. Drier and more serious. Rating: 89 L&S (Apr 2009)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


Another stunning effort that performs even better out of bottle than it did from barrel, the 2008 La Chapelle de la Mission is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of scorched earth, blueberries and black currants, a juicy, savory, broad mouthfeel and powerful flavors are velvety as well as opulent. Enjoy this 2008 over the next 12-15 years. Rating: 91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Feb 2014)

There is an attractive fragrance to the mix of black fruits on the nose. The fruit is sweet giving richness which shows on both nose and palate. The mid palate has more of a red fruit influence, the freshness lending brightness to the finish. 2014-25 Rating: 87-91 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (Dec 2013)

The second wine now incorporates virtually everything that was in the Latour-Haut-Brion vineyard. The 2008 La Chapelle de la Mission exhibits spicy, earthy, forest floor-like notes intermixed with red currants and black fruits. It is a fresh, elegant, medium-bodied offering to enjoy during its first 10-12 years of life. Rating: 87 - 88+ Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2009)

Château la Mission Haut Brion

Surrounded by the urban sprawl of Bordeaux, facing each other across the street are Châteaus Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion. In the 16th Century Arnaut de Roustaing, who had bought what is today La Mission, married Marie de Pontac, sister of Haut Brion owner Jean de Pontac, but, despite being immediate neighbours, this is as close as the two estates got to common history until the modern era. The "Haut Brion" portion of the name appears to, simply, to be a little commercial plagiarisation of the sort that Haut Brion has suffered more than most. Arnaut's grand-daughter left the estate to the Congregation of the Mission in 1654, who built a small chapel in the vineyards called Notre Dame de la Mission. Church ownership seems to have been good for La Mission Haut Brion and the fame of the wines grew. Cardinal Richelieu appears to have been a fan. But Chuch ownership could not survive the French Revolution and the various private owners that followed oversaw a fall in quality and reputation. The modern history, and revival of La Mission Haut Brion, dates from 1919 when Frédéric Woltner bought the estate. Together with his sons, he revitalised La Mission, installing the, then, cutting edge technology of temperature-controlled fermentation and restructuring the vineyards. The next generation of Woltners, however, fell into discord and sold La Mission Haut Brion to Domaine Clarence Dillon SA, owners of Château Haut Brion in 1983, bringing the two neighbours under the same ownership. Since then, La Mission Haut Brion has grown considerably in reputation and ranks among the best château, not only in Pessac-Léognan, but in Bordeaux as a whole. There are 21ha of vines, planted to 45% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the balance being Cabernet Franc. Red wines are aged in 100% new oak for just under 2 years. If remembering the differences between Haut Brion proper and La Mission Haut Brion wasn't enough, the two estates are also responsible for a confusing array of other "Haut Brions". The Woltner family were bequeathed Château La Tour Haut Brion in 1933 and this was produced as seperate wine by La Mission until the 2005 vintage, since when the grapes from La Tour Haut Brion have been used in the blend for La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion, La Mission's second wine. The Woltners also purchased the near-by property of Château Laville Haut Brion and produced a very successful white wine there. This has now been re-named Château la Mission Haut Brion Blanc. Châteaus Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion also produce a joint white second wine called La Clarté de Haut Brion.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
  • For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
  • We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
  • Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
  • Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.

ORDER     COLLECT

ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS