Jeb Dunnuck
A Merlot-heavy second wine that spent 18 months in French oak, the 2023 La Chapelle De La Mission Haut-Brion sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as rocking aromatics of ripe black cherries, smoked tobacco, baking spices, and graphite. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, with a layered, deep, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It's another one of those wines that's too good for a second wine and will keep for three decades. Drink 2028-2055.
La Mission Haut Brion's second wine, La Chapelle usually gets overlooked by consumers, but it really deserves attention, it is frequently one of the most stylish and charming wines in the appellation. The 2023 is a blend of 48.3% Merlot, 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12.3% Cabernet Franc. Opening with an attractive bouquet of flowers and red fruit. Crisp and clear, lots of creamy cherry fruit caresses the palate, silky and fine grained, finishing with pixilated, powdery tannins.
