Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan Cru Classé de Graves 2009

Generous yet contained, this is as broad-shouldered and muscular as you might expect from a vintage where everything went right during the growing season, showing a velvety finesse to its tannins. It has fully settled into its drinking window at this point, while still offering plenty of primary character to the grilled plum and black cherry fruit alongside capsicum pepper, turmeric spice, incense, olive tapenade, kirsch, cocoa bean and liquorice. 77% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 9 to October 6, Jean-Philippe Delmas director.