Château La Mission Haut-Brion Pessac Léognan Cru Classé de Graves 2000

One of the wines that I selected for the 67 Pall Mall Advent Calendar (in what has got to be my favourite job I have ever done), and wow this is good. Still densely packed with fruit and tannins even at 21 years old, fully hitting its stride. Open enough to be generous, especially after a few hours in a carafe, but young enough to remain juicy and concentrated, layer upon layer of caressing blackberry and cassis fruits, tobacco, cigar leaf, olive tapenade and grilled cedar. A vintage that was 1.5C higher temperatures than average pretty much throughout the growing season, with big tannins that needed time, but are now velvety and welcoming.