La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan, FR, 2023

For the 2023 vintage of La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, professional critics were notably enthusiastic, with most scores landing in the low-to-mid 90s and a few reaching the upper 90s.

Critical consensus

Wine Advocate (97 pts) described the wine as deeper and more structured than usual, highlighting blueberry, cassis, and dark woodland berry aromas, with dense fruit, firm youthful tannins, and a long finish. Kelley suggested it will reward patience.

James Suckling (96 pts) praised its creamy, refined tannin structure and mineral character, noting oyster shell, cassis, and crushed stone nuances.

Decanter (93 pts) emphasized freshness and precision, citing blackcurrant, bramble fruit, and milk chocolate notes, with bright acidity, velvet-like tannins, and excellent balance.

Vinous (92 pts) viewed it as an especially charming and approachable vintage of La Chapelle, with floral notes, spice, sweet tobacco, and red fruit, likely drinkable earlier than many recent vintages.

Blend and style

The 2023 blend is:

• 48.3% Merlot
• 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 12.3% Cabernet Franc

Critics consistently mention:

• Blackcurrant, cassis, blackberry, and blueberry fruit
• Crushed stone/mineral notes
• Floral accents (violet and flowers)
• Refined, creamy tannins
• Greater depth and structure than many previous vintages of La Chapelle

Drinking window

Based on the reviews, the wine appears to sit between two styles:

• Wine Advocate: cellar for several years and expect improvement with age.
• Vinous: attractive enough to enjoy relatively young.
• Tastingbook: recommends drinking from 2028 onward.

Overall assessment: The 2023 La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion is widely considered one of the strongest recent releases of this second wine, with most critics placing it in the 93–97 point range. It combines the accessibility expected from a second wine with an unusually serious structure and aging potential.