La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2017
Non-Member Price:
$1,229.64 CADMember Price: $1,168.16
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97 points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, March 2020
A blend of 23.8% Sauvignon Blanc and 76.2% Sémillon, the 2017 Blanc takes its time uncoiling from its tightly wound state, slowly revealing nuances of lemon tart, lime blossoms, green mango and jasmine with touches of cedar chest and sea spray. Medium-bodied, the palate has a beautifully expressed, quiet intensity, featuring loads of subtle mineral and citrus layers, finishing long and chalky. Beautiful.
At Château Haut-Brion and neighboring La Mission Haut-Brion, only about one hectare out of around 80 hectares of vineyards was damaged by frost in 2017. It seemed that in the areas where there was a little wind, there was no frost. Bud break was on March 13—not so early for this warm little pocket of vineyards close to the city—but the evolution of the vines was certainly faster than usual for the rest of the spring. It was a very dry, warm spring with even flowering. At the end of June, there was some rain to quench the parched vines, then July was a little cooler, according the Jean-Philippe Delmas. By mid-September, after the whites had already come in, the rains became an issue. The Merlot was almost all in before the rain, but the Cabernet Franc was affected and not much was used this year. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested after the rains. Overall yields averaged-out at a very respectable 49.6 hectoliters per hectare. The final blends have been completed and are in barrel. While the reds are incredibly impressive at both properties in 2017, I have to confess that I was completely blown-away by the caliber of the whites. WOW! Possessing at once electric intensity and yet bags of tightly-wound layers just waiting to be expressed over many years of cellaring, this is a truly spectacular vintage for the dry whites at both estates. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown
From cellar-to-cellar, or cellar to shelf, we maintain the highest standards, thanks to close relationships with the finest producers of wine across the globe, ensuring authenticity.
We maintain strict, direct, temperature- controlled delivery from the cellar to the customer, guaranteeing the integrity of each vintage’s character and flavor profile.
Our curated collection prioritizes provenance and secure wine handling from start to finish. We deeply understand and appreciate the craft, passion and time that is dedicated to produce each bottle, and we honor it by respecting the factors that influence a wine’s ideal maturation. When you purchase a bottle from Wines of Kings, we guarantee the following:
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WHY TRUST US?
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A UNIQUE APPROACH
Wines of Kings is a US-registered wine importer and online wine store, offering a curated selection of high-end European wines. We are devoted to the direct sourcing, handling, importing, sale, and delivery of some of the most sought-after and beloved wines in the world - selected carefully for their quality, vintage and terroir.
From cellar-to-cellar, or cellar to shelf, we maintain the highest standards, thanks to close relationships with the finest producers of wine across the globe, ensuring authenticity.
We maintain strict, direct, temperature- controlled delivery from the cellar to the customer, guaranteeing the integrity of each vintage’s character and flavor profile.
OUR STORY
FOUNDERS AND BACKGROUND
Founders Marco Prete and Cristina Fragni have spent a lifetime in close contact with the top European winemakers and cellar masters, and have spent decades on their shared passion for learning, tasting, and even assisting in the production of fine wines.
After relocating to NYC in 2013, they found that many of their favorite vintages were not available in the US. Inspired by a lack of available inventory on the usual channels, they decided that it was essential to them personally and professionally to create a bespoke, world-class collection of fine wines available for US import.
The Wines of Kings collection of exquisite wines reflects the founders’ obsession with premium wines that are made authentically.