Reviews: 100 points Wine Advocate, "The deep garnet colored 2009 La Mission Haut-Brion absolutely sings of warm red and black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, liquid licorice, sassafras and espresso with hint of lilacs, pencil shavings and truffles. Full-bodied, rich, bold and oh-so-decadent in the mouth, the palate is completely packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by wonderfully velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing epically long. Wow! (LP-B)"

97 points Vinous, "...has a wonderful, extravagant bouquet with a slight medicinal note (not apparent on the bottle poured blind the following week) infusing the precocious red fruit, all beautifully defined with star anise and bayleaf developing. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very well judged acidity, precocious in style with a long finish that maintains that medicinal leitmotif. Wonderful. (NM)"

18 points Jancis Robinson , "Still some blue in the crimson. Slightly cheesy nose. Then very polished and accomplished. Alcoholic heat is evident here. But it does taste as though an amazing amount of care has been lavished on it. It could already be enjoyed! Very slightly inky. (JR)"