Château La Mission Haut Brion 1970

Château La Mission Haut Brion 1970, Pessac-Léognan

Introduction & historical background

Château La Mission Haut Brion is one of Bordeaux's most important wine estates and is located directly opposite the famous Château Haut Brion in the commune of Talence, south of Bordeaux . Although it is not listed in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855 (as it is not located in the Médoc), its red wine has always been rated at Premier Grand Cru Classé level .

The 1970 vintage was produced during what is considered one of the estate's great eras - the era of the Woltner family, who owned La Mission Haut Brion from 1919 to 1983 . The 1970 wine year in Bordeaux was characterised by a dry summer and a very good September, which led to a rich harvest of outstanding quality . The estate itself has been run by the Dillon family (also owners of Haut Brion) since 1983 .

Tasting profile & character

Château La Mission Haut Brion 1970 is now considered fully mature and is in the optimum drinking window. Critics describe it as a wine of impressive concentration and Burgundian elegance, although a well-known variation in bottle quality should be noted .

Aroma (nose):
The nose is described as complex and seductive. Typical aromas are ripe black fruits (cassis, blackberry, plum), mixed with classic Bordeaux notes of cedar wood, cigar box, tobacco, leather, truffle and forest floor . Some bottles also show a slightly animal note ("gamey tones") and roasted notes .

Palate:
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a velvety texture and well-integrated, ripe tannins . It is described as balanced, structured and with a noticeable vitality reminiscent of the wine's youth . The finish is long and persistent ("lingering") .

Speciality - Volatile acidity:
An important point about this vintage is the issue of "volatile acidity". Several sources point out that bottle quality can vary greatly. While some bottles can be flawless and exceptionally complex, others show a distinct tinge of volatile acidity that makes the wine appear "disjointed" . Robert Parker noted as early as 1996 that this acidity plays more than a minor role in many bottles . Buyers should therefore ensure that the wine has been sourced and stored correctly.

Reviews & ratings

The ratings of the wine vary depending on the condition of the tasted bottle:

Technical data & terroir

• Winery: Château La Mission Haut-Brion

• Vintage: 1970

• Appellation: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux

• Grape varieties (historical): Approx. 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc

• Soil: Deep gravel-sand over a subsoil of clay, sand and limestone

• Ageing: 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels

• Alcohol content: approx. 12.5 % vol.

• Production: Approx. 6,000-7,000 cases per vintage

Market & availability

The 1970 La Mission Haut Brion is extremely rare today and is traded almost exclusively through auction houses or specialised rare wine dealers. Prices vary greatly depending on the format, condition and origin.

Most dealers list this vintage as "sold out" . Bottles from flawless provenance regularly achieve top prices at auctions.

Drinking recommendation & serving notes

• Drinking maturity: The wine is fully mature and should be enjoyed over the next few years. Further long storage is not recommended .

• Decanting: It is recommended to decant the wine about an hour before drinking to separate it from any sediment and open up the flavours .

• Serving temperature: 16-18 °C (slightly chilled, but not cold).

• Caution: Due to its age, the cork is often brittle. A corkscrew with maple (Durand or similar) is recommended.

Food recommendation

The powerful, complex structure of the wine harmonises perfectly with strong, spicy dishes:

• Meat: Grilled fillet of beef, rack of lamb, game dishes (e.g. wild duck bigarade) .

• Poultry: partridge or pheasant with truffle sauce.

• Mushrooms: Porcini mushroom ravioli .

• Cheese: Matured hard cheese such as Comté or Mimolette.

Conclusion

Château La Mission Haut Brion 1970 is a legendary Bordeaux from a great era of the estate. It epitomises the classic strength, complexity and ageing potential of the great wines from Graves, but due to its well-known susceptibility to volatile acidity, choosing a bottle with impeccable provenance is crucial to the enjoyment experience. For collectors and lovers of mature Bordeaux, this vintage remains a fascinating, if not entirely risk-free, piece of wine history.