Mission Haut Brion has been released at €336 per bottle ex-negociant, 12% higher than the opening price of the 2015 (€300). This is a higher increase than predicted by Liv-ex members in our annual En Primeur survey, who expected a rise of 8.5% on average. It is being offered by the international trade for £3,960 per case, up 23.8% in sterling terms on the 2015 release price of £3,200 per 12×75.
Critics have highly praised this year’s Mission Haut Brion. Neal Martin placed the wine within the 98 to 100-point bracket, commenting that the 2016 “leaves you reaching for the thesaurus looking for superlatives.” Jean-Marc Quarin was effusive in his praise of the wine’s fruit and freshness, awarding the highest possible score of 100 points.
Prices for Mission Haut Brion are closely correlated to critic scores (Wine Advocate). The 2016 is entering the market at a price just below that suggested by Liv’ex-s ‘fair-value’ methodology. Given that this wine may hit 100 points in bottle, buyers might consider this a reasonable price, placing the current offering below existing ‘perfect’ vintages, and the 98 point 2010.
Buyers looking to access the Mission Haut Brion brand at a lower price point might consider the 2012 vintage, which carries a lower score of 96 points but it is available at a 50% discount to the current release.
Mission Haut Brion Blanc has also been released at €480 per bottle ex-negociant, the same release price as the 2015.
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