La Mission Haut-Brion has made so many great wines over the last 100 years, it would be stupid to say the 2009 somehow exceeds this estate-s great classics, such as 1929, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, or 2005. Certainly it will take its place in the pantheon of all the great La Mission Haut-Brions ever made. There are 6,000 cases of it, made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol hit 14.7%, which far exceeds the perfect wines of 1982, 1989 and 1990. Opaque purple in color, with an extraordinary nose of blueberry liqueur intermixed with camphor, charcoal, hints of burning embers and truffles, and loads of black berry and black currant fruit, the wine has sublime concentration and purity, a finish that goes well past 60 seconds, and not a hard edge to be found in this sumptuous, almost over-the-top, full-bodied wine of enormous power and massive density and richness. An immortal effort, it should drink well for 50-100 years! 98-100/100 Robert Parker Jr.

I loved La Mission Haut Brion because of its authenticity. With its mocha-elderberry/ violet/ aniseed aromas, ripe chocolaty tannins, vanilla/ tobacco nuances, freshness and superb richness, it tells the story of vintage and place. It’s very impressive and should be remembered for its ground breaking honesty. Here is a wine that expresses Terroir yet is relatively high in alcohol. It’s not so much an achievement but an acknowledgement by a bastion of the Bordeaux vernacular that this is a perfectly reasonable proposition. 95-97/100 Andrew Caillard, MW Langton's

Shows juicy aromas of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon and currant, with hints of forest fruits and sandalwood. Full-bodied, offering chewy, mouthcoating tannins that are fruit-coated and velvety. Dense and powerful. A little subdued. Could be better than I think. 94-97/100 Wine Spectator