Mission Haut Brion 2018 has been released at €252 per bottle ex-negociant, up 5% on the 2017 (€240). This is also 16.7% lower than the expected (not wanted) price of €302.54 by Liv-ex members. The wine is being offered by the trade for £3,000 per 12×75, up 8.7% on the 2017 release of £2,760 per case.
This year’s Mission Haut Brion has divided critics. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) scored the wine 90-93 points and said it was “bright and punchy” and added that “it will be interesting to see what develops with élevage”.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (Wine Advocate), on the other hand, thought it was potentially perfect, and scored it a high 98-100 points. In her tasting note she said it was “fantastically multi-layered” and added that it was an “extraordinary wine”.
James Suckling commented on its “fantastic oyster-shell, iodine and crushed-stone character” and said that it was “extremely long and fresh”. He awarded the wine 97-98 points.
Other commentators included Jane Anson (Decanter, 97), who said it was “an extremely fine Mission, just beginning to say its piece”. Jeb Dunnuck (97-99) agreed that it was “one sexy yet also seamless 2018 that does everything right”. Chris Kissack (The Wine Doctor), awarded a slightly lower 94-96 points, but said it was “a very fine La Mission”.
Prices for Mission Haut Brion are 74% correlated to our ‘Benchmark Critic’ series. Based on today’s release price, the wine is coming to market well-above the line for fans of Galloni, but at ‘Fair Value’ for followers of Suckling.
Those who agree with Perrotti-Brown will no-doubt find plenty of value in today’s release, especially given its coming to market cheaper than the current price of the 2015 and 2016.
Buyers looking for other options may want to consider the 2012 and 2014, which also look attractive.
Mission Haut Brion Blanc was also released at €480 per bottle ex-negociant, equal to the 2017 release.
Looking for more?
Our Bordeaux 2018 pages contain everything you need to know about this year’s En Primeur campaign, including:
- Critic scores
- Release prices
- Bordeaux 2018 analysis tool [members only]
- The conversation on social media
- Liv-ex’s fair value methodology
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