2012 Mission Haut Brion Blanc

The 2012 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has a very intense Sauvignon Blanc nose offering gooseberry, kiwi fruit and smoky scents, although it does not seem to possess the complexity of the Malartic-Lagravière Blanc. The palate is balanced with a smooth entry, quite phenolic compared to its peers with a waxy, almost honeyed finish that feels creamy and yet needs to muster more complexity. I suspect this is just entering a dumb phase (just like Laville Haut-Brion had a habit of doing!). Like the Haut-Brion, my mark reflects the fact that this wine has closed down since bottling, but it will warrant a far higher score in line with its barrel showing after 10-15 years. Tasted January 2016.