- Lot Description
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Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 1981 La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves (92JG, 90RP). John Gilman: "The 1981 La Mission is a very strong example of the vintage and the wine is drinking at its apogee at age thirty-five. The bouquet offers up a fine, complex blend of cassis, dark berries, cigar ash, a touch of new leather, a fine base of dark soil tones and a touch of La Mission’s medicinal overtones. On the palate the wine id deep, full-bodied and quite powerful in personality for an ’81, with broad shoulders, a superb core, fine soil signature and a long, still modestly chewy and tangy finish. This is not the most elegant example of La Mission, but it has depth and stuffing and delivers plenty of enjoyment. Ironically, I like the ’81 La Tour Haut-Brion almost as much as the La Mission in this vintage, though in its early years, the ’81 La Mission was much more elegant than it is today and was clearly the more interesting bottle. (Drink between 2016-2040) " (07/2016)
This lot contains the following items:
1981 La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves (qty: 4)
- Lot Items
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1981 La Mission Haut-Brion, Graves (750 ml)Quantity: 4Provenance: Original Owner. Purchased on release from reputable retailer and stored in the professional home wine cellar of a Los Angeles based collector. Hand delivered to K&L.Fill level: One bottle very high shoulder; One bottle high shoulderTasting Notes:- Professional Reviews
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John Gilman
92
The 1981 La Mission is a very strong example of the vintage and the wine is drinking at its apogee at age thirty-five. The bouquet offers up a fine, complex blend of cassis, dark berries, cigar ash, a touch of new leather, a fine base of dark soil tones and a touch of La Mission’s medicinal overtones. On the palate the wine id deep, full-bodied and quite powerful in personality for an ’81, with broad shoulders, a superb core, fine soil signature and a long, still modestly chewy and tangy finish. This is not the most elegant example of La Mission, but it has depth and stuffing and delivers plenty of enjoyment. Ironically, I like the ’81 La Tour Haut-Brion almost as much as the La Mission in this vintage, though in its early years, the ’81 La Mission was much more elegant than it is today and was clearly the more interesting bottle.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
90
The 1981 exhibits a more youthful purple hue to its dark plum color than any vintage back to 1970. Somewhat narrowly constructed for a La Mission-Haut-Brion, it reveals plenty of incense, blueberry, black currant and crushed rock notes intertwined with a restrained, smoky character. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and crisp with good concentration as well as a surprising youthfulness. However, the vintage’s deficiencies – a lack of heat and maturity – show up in the wine’s modest power and concentration. The 1981 does not possess the great richness, depth and intensity of the finest vintages, but it is still an outstanding effort that has aged extremely well. It could hold up for another two decades, but there is no point in deferring gratification. (RP)
Ratings: JG: 92 RP: 90
