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91 Robert Parker
Among all the wines in the Rodenstock tasting, the 1949 La Mission-Haut-Brion proved to be the most controversial. It had been recorked with what appeared to be an authentic cork, and the label was a faithful representation. However, the wine tasted similar to a cheap Chilean Merlot. Darkly-colored, soft and fruity, but one-dimensional and monolithic, despite the authenticity of the bottle and the cork, this could not have been the 1949 La Mission-Haut-Brion. I have had the 1949 La Mission numerous times, consistently rating it between the mid-nineties to 100. This magnum tasted suspicious, to put it diplomatically. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series II - Flight C of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.
Producer
Château La Mission Haut Brion
Similarly owned by the Dillon family, Château La Mission Haut-Brion is certainly the second best producer in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, after its neighbor and Graves greatest producer, Château Haut-Brion. With a history beginning in the early 16th century, La Mission Haut-Brion now justly rivals its sister winery in more than just select vintages, the estate has actually been raised to a comparable First Growth rank in 2009. While the Pessac-Léognan Cru Classé’s La Tour Haut-Brion, used to be La Mission’s second wine, it is now a separately owned brand, however still managed by the Dillon family. The 29-hectare property is planted primarily to the production of their first-rate reds. Their La Mission Haut-Brion is the flagship wine, it is exemplary of their house style - rich, barrel-fermented, dense, and powerful. The château also produces La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, a second wine that is riper but nonetheless arousing.